EU Mandates Risk Assessments and Mitigation Measures for Major Adult Content Platforms
Under new regulations outlined by the European Commission, three prominent adult content platforms—Pornhub, Stripchat, and XVideos—are mandated to conduct risk assessments and implement measures to mitigate systemic risks associated with their services. These directives come as part of the Digital Services Act (DSA), which designates these companies as very large online platforms, necessitating heightened efforts to remove illegal and harmful content.
The European Commission has specified deadlines for compliance, requiring Pornhub and Stripchat to meet DSA obligations by April 21, with XVideos given until April 23 to do the same. These obligations entail submitting comprehensive risk assessment reports to the Commission and implementing measures to address systemic risks inherent in their services. Additionally, the platforms are expected to adhere to transparency requirements concerning advertisements and grant researchers access to relevant data.
Non-compliance with DSA regulations carries significant penalties, with companies risking fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover for breaches. The European Commission’s actions underscore its dedication to ensuring that large online platforms proactively tackle illegal and harmful content, particularly within the domain of adult content services. These measures align with broader initiatives aimed at bolstering online safety and fostering accountability across digital platforms operating within the EU.
