France to Block Major Porn Sites in Protest of New Age Verification Law

France to Block Porn Sites Over Age Verification Law France is set to block access to major pornography websites, including Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube, starting Wednesday, June 4, 2025. This action is a direct response to a new French law requiring strict age verification measures for online pornographic content. The law aims to protect minors from accessing inappropriate material. However, the move has sparked controversy among the platforms and their users. The websites' owner, the Cyprus-based company MindGeek, strongly opposes the new regulations. In a press conference, a spokesperson stated, "We believe the French government's age verification requirements are not only intrusive but also unreliable, and we will not comply." MindGeek's defiance stems from concerns about the practicality and invasiveness of the proposed age verification methods. They argue that the methods infringe on user privacy and are not effective in preventing underage access. The company has announced that it will block access to its platforms from France indefinitely, a decision that will affect millions of users. The European Commission is also taking action. They announced plans to launch their own age-verification application in July 2025. They have also initiated investigations into four other pornographic websites, alleging insufficient age verification measures. The Commission's involvement highlights the broader European concern over online child safety. The situation underscores the ongoing debate surrounding online content regulation and the balance between protecting minors and respecting user privacy. The French government's decision to block these websites is a bold step, and the outcome will likely shape future discussions on online content regulation across Europe.