On May 27, 2025, the European Commission launched an investigation into four major pornography platforms—Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos—for failing to protect minors from adult content under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA). Conducted in Brussels, the probe targets ineffective age verification systems, with simple “click-to-confirm” pop-ups deemed inadequate. The move aims to enforce stricter online safety for children, amid global concerns about digital exploitation.
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In India, where online child sexual abuse cases surged from 738 in 2020 to 969 in 2021, this investigation highlights the need for robust regulations, aligning with local efforts under the POCSO Act.
EU’s Crackdown on Inadequate Safeguards
The European Commission criticized the platforms for lacking “appropriate and proportionate” age verification tools, noting that a single click to confirm being over 18 allows easy access to adult content. The probe, backed by the European Board for Digital Services, also examines risks to minors’ mental and physical well-being. Violations could lead to fines of up to 6% of a platform’s global turnover or a European ban for repeated breaches. Henna Virkkunen, EU tech chief, emphasized, “The online space should be safe for children to learn and connect.” The EU is developing an age-verification app by summer 2025, and public consultations for child protection guidelines are ongoing until June 10, 2025.
Indian Context: A Growing Concern
In India, the rise in online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is alarming. The National Crime Records Bureau reported a 31% increase in child pornography cases from 2020 to 2021, with Interpol estimating 2.4 million CSAM instances in India from 2017 to 2020, 80% involving girls under 14. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, amended in 2019, imposes stringent penalties, including up to seven years’ imprisonment for possessing CSAM. However, enforcement lags due to weak age verification on platforms and easy access to explicit content on OTT services like Netflix, as noted by Drishti IAS. The Central Bureau of Investigation’s 2021 raids across 14 states underscore India’s crackdown efforts, yet challenges persist in monitoring digital platforms.
Global Implications and Local Action
The EU’s probe could set a precedent for India, where regulatory frameworks like the Information Technology Act and POCSO struggle to keep pace with digital proliferation.
A Call for Stronger Protections
The EU’s investigation underscores the urgent need for effective age verification and risk mitigation globally. In India, aligning with such standards could strengthen POCSO enforcement and curb CSAM, ensuring a safer digital space for children amid rising online threats.
-By Manoj H