Large porn sites drawn into EU online content obligations
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(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission named adult websites Pornhub, Stripchat and XVideos Wednesday as online platforms that now need to conform to strict content rules under the EU's Digital Services Act law.
Under the Act, the Commission first designated 'Very Large Online Platforms' (VLOPs) and Search Engines on 25 April this year. As the three porn services fulfil the threshold of 45 million average monthly users in the EU, they also now need to comply with the general DSA obligations, by 17 February next year.
The obligations include promptly informing police law enforcement authorities when aware that a criminal offence involving a threat to life or safety has taken place or is likely to, including in the case of child sexual abuse; easy to use mechanisms for users to notify illegal content; an internal appeal system for content moderation decisions; a system to ensure high levels of privacy, security, and safety of minors; interface designs that do not deceive or manipulate users; stopping targeted advertisement based on profiling of sensitive data (i.e. ethnic origin, political opinions or sexual orientation), or targeted at minors; clear terms and conditions; and the annual publication of transparency reports on their content moderation processes.
In addition to these gemeranl provisions, within four months of the companies' designation as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) under the Digital Services Act, Pornhub, XVideos and Stripchat will have to adopt specific measures to empower and protect users online, including minors, and duly assess and mitigate any systemic risks stemming from their services.
Following the platforms' designation as VLOPs under the Act, the Commission is now responsible for supervising Pornhub, Stripchat and XVideos, in cooperation with digital services coordinators of the Member States of establishment.
EU Official Journal text on the DSA
Q&A on the Digital Services Act
Guidance on the counting of user numbers
Very large online platforms and search engines under the DSA