Pornhub challenges EU over online content rules

Pornhub is challenging the EU's new online content regulations, specifically the Digital Services Act (DSA), which imposes stringent age verification requirements.

The company disputes the EU's classification of it as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP), a designation for sites with over 45 million monthly European visitors, which Pornhub claims it doesn't meet. As of January 31, 2024, Pornhub states it has 32 million monthly active users.

The case against the VLOP status was filed in Luxembourg's General Court by Pornhub's Canadian parent company, Aylo, on March 1. Tech firms Technius and WebGroup Czech Republic have also lodged objections.

The DSA aims to increase online safety in the EU, with VLOPs subject to more rigorous content moderation, including the removal of illegal content and creating advertisement databases. Noncompliance with the DSA could result in fines up to 6% of a company's global turnover.

Additionally, other tech companies face new mandates under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which Apple has already clashed with by restricting Epic Games from introducing a marketplace on Apple devices. The EU is set to investigate Apple's actions that may limit competition in app stores.