In an unusual digital protest, Pornhub has blocked access to its website in France, standing firm against new government rules aimed at shielding minors from adult content.
French users trying to visit the site this week were met not with explicit videos but a plain statement from Pornhub’s parent company, Aylo. The firm also owns RedTube and YouPorn — both of which have gone dark in France as well.
The reason? A tough new law that demands porn websites properly verify users are 18 or older — not just by clicking a box, but by using official documents like a government-issued ID or a credit card.
A New Line in the Sand
“This isn’t about punishing adults,” said Clara Chappaz, France’s Deputy Minister for Digital Technology, in a televised interview on Europe 1. “But protecting children online must come first.”
According to France’s media watchdog, Arcom, about 2.3 million minors visit porn sites every month. That’s around 12% of all porn traffic in the country. And France is Pornhub’s second-largest audience after the United States.
For years, age checks on such sites have been easy to bypass. A simple tick on a pop-up saying “I’m over 18” has sufficed. The new law, which takes full effect on 7 June 2025, changes that. It forces sites to use third-party systems to confirm users’ ages — without storing any personal data themselves.
The government says this “double anonymity” model protects privacy. The age checker knows who you are, but not what site you’re visiting. The porn site knows you’re of age, but nothing else.
Chappaz defended the approach on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “It’s unacceptable to lie when you don’t want to respect the law. If Aylo would rather leave France than apply our law, they are free to do so.”
Industry Pushback
Aylo doesn’t oppose age checks outright. The company argues that enforcing them through the user’s device — rather than a third-party site — would offer better privacy and less risk of data leaks.
A spokesperson for Aylo told local press on Tuesday, “We support protecting minors online, but this law is flawed and puts millions of users at risk.”
Privacy campaigners are divided. Some say the French model offers a smart balance between child safety and user anonymity. Others warn that no system is foolproof, and that sensitive data could still be vulnerable.
Not Just a French Fight
The showdown in France is part of a larger European debate. Last month, EU regulators said they would investigate Pornhub and similar sites for failing to meet child protection standards. Germany and the UK are also considering tighter laws.
Aylo’s French protest has stirred fresh debate online. Some users are angry at losing access. Others welcome the pause, saying it’s time the internet stopped ignoring the risks to young people.
For now, it’s unclear how long Pornhub and its sister sites will stay dark in France. The government isn’t backing down. Neither, it seems, is the porn industry.
As the 7 June deadline looms, both sides are digging in.
“If we don’t act now, the internet will keep failing our children,” Chappaz said.
And Aylo? They say the fight isn’t over.
What Kenya Can Learn
Kenya, like many countries grappling with growing internet access among young users, can take note of France’s approach. The French model provides a legal framework requiring online platforms to implement age verification through independent systems that protect both privacy and identity.
As Kenya reviews its own digital safety laws, especially in light of increasing online exposure among minors, the use of third-party verification tools that separate identity from browsing behaviour could offer a workable solution.
Regulatory agencies such as the Communications Authority and the Kenya Film Classification Board may consider similar measures to ensure that minors are not exposed to inappropriate online content while safeguarding user privacy.
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