Pornhub and Sister Sites to Go Dark in France Amid Age Verification Battle

In a bold move shaking up France’s digital landscape, Aylo — the company behind some of the world’s most popular adult content platforms like Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube — announced it will suspend access to these sites in France starting Wednesday. The decision, widely seen as a protest against strict new French regulations on age verification for adult content, was confirmed by a company spokesperson on Tuesday.

“Aylo has made the difficult decision to suspend access to its user-uploaded platforms in France. We will be using our platforms to directly address the French public tomorrow,” the spokesperson said, without elaborating on the specifics of their message.

A Showdown Over Digital Rights and Child Protection

At the center of the standoff is Arcom, France’s digital and audiovisual regulator, which has been cracking down on adult sites that fail to implement effective systems to verify users’ ages. Under French law, platforms hosting adult content must ensure visitors are 18 or older, or face fines and possible nationwide blocking.

The stakes are high: according to Arcom, 2.3 million minors in France access porn websites each month — a staggering figure that underscores why the government is determined to enforce tighter controls.

France’s junior minister for artificial intelligence and digital technology, Clara Chappaz (pictured), didn’t mince words. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she remarked: “If Aylo would rather leave France than apply our laws, they are free to do so.”

Part of a Bigger European Crackdown

France isn’t alone in turning up the heat. Last month, EU regulators launched investigations into several adult platforms — including Pornhub — over alleged failures to meet child protection standards under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The legislation demands stricter content moderation and safeguards on platforms operating within the EU, with a particular emphasis on protecting minors.

The Bigger Picture: Tech Giants vs. Regulation

This clash highlights a growing tension between tech companies and national governments over content moderation, privacy, and platform accountability. While Aylo and similar companies argue that stringent verification processes risk infringing on privacy and freedom of access, regulators maintain that protecting minors must come first.

It’s not the first time adult sites have faced national restrictions. In 2020, the UK attempted a similar age verification law, but the plan was scrapped over technical and privacy concerns. Now, with the EU taking a firmer stance through the DSA, the issue is back in the spotlight.