Pornhub Exits France Over Age Verification Law

Pornhub, along with its parent company Aylo (which also owns YouPorn and RedTube), is set to suspend its services in France. This decision comes in response to a new French law requiring age verification for visitors to adult websites.

The deadline for implementing these age verification measures is June 7th, but Pornhub plans to block French users starting Wednesday, June 4th, according to reports from 01net.

Concerns over Privacy

The new law mandates that websites verify users’ ages using methods such as credit cards or government-issued IDs. While the law includes an option for third-party verification, intended to protect user privacy, Aylo argues that this approach still poses a risk of data breaches and leaks.

Solomon Friedman, a partner at Ethical Capital Partners (the private equity firm that acquired Aylo in 2023), has criticized the law as “ineffective” and “dangerous,” citing privacy concerns during a recent press call. He emphasized Aylo’s commitment to directly communicating with the French public about the potential issues with the government’s new regulations.

Government Response

Clara Chappaz, France’s Minister of State for Digital Affairs, has accused Aylo of misrepresenting the age verification law and its requirements. She stated in a tweet that the goal is to protect children, not stigmatize adults.

“Adults are free to consume porn, but not at the expense of protecting our children,” Chappaz said.

France’s Importance to Pornhub

France is a significant market for Pornhub, ranking second only to the United States in traffic volume, according to 2024 data. Interestingly, the top search term on Pornhub in France is “francaise,” indicating a preference for French content among its users.

Age Verification Laws on the Rise

France joins a growing list of regions implementing age verification laws for online pornography. In the United States, 19 states have passed similar legislation, primarily states considered politically conservative. These states include:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Florida
• Georgia
• Idaho
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• Montana
• Nebraska
• North Carolina
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia

While these laws are gaining traction in the US, France’s decision highlights a broader global trend towards regulating access to online adult content.