Blocking of Pornhub Xhamster and Tukif: Arcom counter-attacks

The blocking of pornographic sites is on its way. Since 2017, the government has been planning to better regulate access to adult platforms. This notably involves the systematic verification of the age of Internet users who would like to access content classified X. This week, Arcom (born from the merger of the CSA and Hadopi) finally reassigned several Internet access providers to justice. Orange, Orange Caraïbe, Free, Free Mobile, SFR, SFR Fibre, Bouygues Télécom, Colt Technologies Services and Outre-Mer Télécom will appear on September 6 before the Paris court, to determine their responsibility in the blocking of adult sites. .

Pornhub, Xvideos, Xnxx, Xhamster and Cliphunter risk blocking

In the complaint filed by Open, Cofrade and Unaf, several pornographic sites are notably accused of not having implemented a sufficiently effective protection system to prevent minors from accessing pornographic content. Remember that for the moment, the platforms are still content with a simple banner asking the Internet user if he is over 18 before accessing his catalog. A measure deemed insufficient by Arcom, which has not yet offered any alternative.

A few timid solutions have however been put in place: on Porndig in particular, it is now possible to verify one’s identity using a selfie, a copy of his ID, a credit card number, or an AgeVerif ticket available in tobacconists. For sites that have refused to comply, Arcom wants to take the next step, and calls for the blocking of the domain names concerned by the ISPs.

After a first postponement of the hearing last May, the appointment is therefore set for September 6. Pornographic platforms should scrutinize the verdict, but we should probably expect a retortion: in 2021, the Paris court had already ruled on a similar case, considering that the actions related to the protection of minors concerned first publishers and hosts rather than access providers themselves. For its part, the CNIL judged the recent verification methods deployed did not conflict with the GDPR.