The European Commission has launched formal investigations into four major online pornography platforms over potential violations of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), citing serious concerns regarding the protection of minors and failure to implement effective age verification measures.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Commission said it has initiated proceedings against Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX, and xHamster, some of the most-visited adult sites in the world. The investigations will focus on whether these platforms have taken sufficient steps to prevent children from accessing pornographic content, a requirement under the DSA, which came into effect for very large online platforms (VLOPs) in 2023.

Inadequate Age Verification Under Scrutiny

The Commission is concerned that the platforms may be failing to comply with their obligations to design systems that prevent underage users from accessing inappropriate content. Under the DSA, VLOPs are required to assess and mitigate risks stemming from the dissemination of illegal or harmful content, especially in relation to the mental and physical well-being of children.

“Protecting children online is one of the top priorities of the Digital Services Act. If platforms do not comply with their duties, we will not hesitate to act,” said Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton. “We are concerned that some pornographic websites are not doing enough to prevent minors from accessing their content.”

According to the Commission, the four platforms have been designated as VLOPs due to their massive user base, which exceeds the DSA threshold of 45 million monthly active users in the EU. As such, they are subject to stricter rules, including transparency obligations, risk assessments, and mitigation strategies.

Investigative Process Underway

The investigations will examine whether the platforms’ current verification systems are robust enough to block access by underage users. The Commission will also look into whether the platforms’ design choices and content recommendation algorithms exacerbate exposure to harmful material.

Furthermore, the EU is requesting detailed documentation from the platforms on their compliance measures, including records of risk assessments and details of age-gating mechanisms. Failure to comply with requests for information could lead to interim measures or even fines.

The platforms have been given a deadline to respond to initial requests for documentation. Should the Commission find that they are in breach of the DSA, the companies could face fines of up to 6% of their global annual turnover.

Industry and Legal Implications

The move signals a growing intent by the EU to hold adult content platforms to the same legal standards as mainstream social media and tech companies, especially when it comes to child safety. Advocacy groups have long criticized the adult entertainment industry for its lax approach to age verification, arguing that children are increasingly exposed to explicit material online without sufficient safeguards.

This investigation marks one of the first major DSA enforcement actions focused specifically on pornography sites, and it is likely to set precedents for how digital platforms that host adult content operate within the EU.

As the probe unfolds, the platforms in question have issued limited public comment. Several have reiterated their commitment to compliance with local and international regulations, but did not offer details on the specific systems they use to block minors.

The European Commission emphasized that the investigations are still in the early stages and that no final conclusions have been drawn.