Three major adult sites targeted by EU's Digital Services Act

After being added to a list of platforms subject to the toughest degree of regulation under the European Union's Digital Services Act (DSA), adult video sites Pornhub, Stripchat, and XVideos may be getting age verification technology.

Back in April, the EU issued an initial list of 17 so-called very large online platforms (VLOPs) and two VLOSEs recognized under the DSA. There were no adult-oriented websites on the first list. That has changed with the inclusion of the three platforms named today.

According to Wikipedia, which was previously designated a VLOP in the first wave of Commission designations, XVideos and Pornhub are the most viewed adult content sites in the world, respectively. Stripchat, on the other hand, is an adult webcam network that broadcasts naked performers live.

Currently, none of the three services require visitors to go through a hard age check (i.e. age verification rather than self-declaration) before viewing material — but this might alter in the region as a result of the trio being labeled VLOPs.

As the EU noted in a news release today — writing [emphasis ours]: The pan-EU law imposes a slew of additional duties on designated (bigger) platforms, which have more than 45 million monthly average users in the region, including measures to protect minors. "VLOPs must design their services, including interfaces, recommender systems, and terms and conditions, in order to address and prevent risks to children's well-being."Mitigating steps to protect children's rights and prevent minors from accessing pornographic content online, such as age verification software."

The Commission, which is in charge of ensuring VLOPs' compliance with the DSA, also stated today that making the internet a safer place for minors is a top enforcement priority.

Other DSA obligations imposed on VLOPs include documenting and analyzing any "specific systemic risks" their services may pose in terms of the dissemination of illegal content and content endangering fundamental rights, as well as producing risk assessment reports that must first be shared with the Commission and then made public.

They must also implement risk-mitigation measures to address risks associated with the online dissemination of illegal content, such as child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and content affecting fundamental rights, such as the right to human dignity and privacy in the case of non-consensual sharing of intimate material or deepfake pornography.

“These measures can include adapting their terms and conditions, interfaces, moderation processes, or algorithms, among others,” the Commission notes.

The three adult platforms classified as VLOPs have four months to put their services in line with the extra DSA criteria, which means they have until late April to implement any necessary changes, such as implementing age verification technology.