Pornhub owner blocks access in France to protest new age verification rules

French visitors to Pornhub, Youporn, and Redtube are now met with a protest message instead of content. Parent company Aylo has blocked access in France to oppose new age verification laws requiring users to confirm their age with a credit card or ID. The company argues the law endangers privacy and fails to protect minors effectively.

Aylo criticizes the French government for not collaborating on a 'smarter, safer' solution, pointing to less intrusive age checks by tech giants like Google and Apple. French Digital Technologies Secretary Clara Chappaz dismissed the protest, stating such sites have 'no place' in France if they refuse to protect children.

The protest coincides with a European Commission investigation into whether major porn sites adequately prevent underage access. The EU is also developing a unified age verification app, set to launch this summer.