The European Commission has launched a formal investigation against some of the biggest adult sites on the internet: Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos. These platforms are being checked for not doing enough to stop minors from accessing adult content.
Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), large platforms are expected to create a safer online space, especially for children. But it looks like these sites still rely on outdated methods like simple pop-ups asking users if they are 18+. Let’s be honest — that has never really worked. Anyone can click “yes” and get full access to explicit content in seconds.
The Commission believes these platforms do not have proper age verification tools in place. There is also concern about the lack of efforts to protect the mental and physical well-being of young users. If this turns out to be true, it could mean serious trouble for these websites.
What is interesting is that Stripchat is no longer considered a Very Large Online Platform by the Commission. They asked to be removed from that category, and the EU agreed after noticing their traffic had dropped. But losing that tag does not mean Stripchat is free from rules. It still has to follow the main DSA requirements like protecting minors and ensuring safety.
In a way, this move from the EU is a wake-up call. For years, many of these sites have operated with very little oversight. But with the DSA now in action, platforms can no longer ignore child safety. Big names like Pornhub might have to rethink how they handle age checks.
To make things easier, the EU is also working on a new age-verification app that could roll out by summer 2025. It will help platforms confirm a user’s age without collecting personal details. It sounds like a privacy-friendly solution, but only time will tell how effective it actually is.
Meanwhile, the Commission is also working with Member States to target smaller adult sites. These platforms will be checked by local authorities in each country. So, this is not just about big names. Every adult site operating in the EU will have to follow the rules.
This investigation could lead to major changes. If Pornhub and others are forced to introduce proper verification tools, it might push the entire adult industry to update its systems. And not just in Europe, other regions might follow if this model works.
The internet has changed a lot, but safety measures on adult platforms have barely evolved. With more kids getting access to phones and tablets, age checks need to be smarter, not just checkboxes anyone can bypass. Maybe this is finally the start of that shift.
