French Court Rejects Lawsuit Aiming to Block Top Porn Sites

French Court Rejects Lawsuit Aiming to Block Top Porn Sites

PARIS — A French court rejected today a suit brought by two French “child protection” nonprofits demanding that the country's main internet service providers totally block several top adult sites, which the nonprofits claim are “too accessible to minors.”

The ruling was reported to Reuters by Gaelle de Montousse, head of communications at e-Enfance, one of the two plaintiffs.

e-Enfance (“e-Childhood”) and La Voix de l’Enfant (“The Voice of the Child”) believe that sites such as Pornhub, TuKif, XNXX, xHamster, XVideos, Redtube and YouPorn “make the pornographic content accessible to minors and do not verify the age of those browsing or they merely make them check a box stating they are over 18,” their lawyer, Laurent Bayon, told newspaper Le Figaro early last month when the lawsuit was announced.

“The court has rejected the claim and the sites will not be blocked,” de Montousse told Reuters today.

Today’s ruling favored the defendants, top French ISPs Orange, SFR, Bouygues Télécom, Free, Colt Technologies Services and Outre mer Télécomare.

Back in March, as XBIZ reported, the seven top adult websites in France were pressured by the Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel, or CSA — the country’s media regulatory agency roughly equivalent to the FCC — to develop their own age verification systems under threat of closure.

A Controversial Amendment

In February, the CSA sent a letter to Pornhub, xHamster, XVideos, XNXX, TuKif, and three Jacquie Et Michel sites demanding activation of “an age-verification system” by March 16.

The request followed the French parliament's passage, in 2020, of a domestic violence law which, in the words of an open letter by XVideos owner WGCZ, “was amended with two articles concerning the distribution of pornography online [imposing] age verification on the users.”

That amendment, the WGCZ statement pointed out, was adopted by an atypical “accelerated procedure” with a very small number of legislators present, following an initiative by President Emmanuel Macron’s government; less than 10% of “députés” were present during the vote and none of the legislators asked about the law’s consequences or the method of age verification to be employed.

“If you ask yourself, as we do, what does pornography have to do with domestic violence, you’d be given this explanation: people can be induced to see and then reproduce ‘violent’ sexual practices seen online,” the WGCZ open letter stated.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More