Global War on Porn
Associated Press Blames 'Pornography' in French Rape Scandal
The Associated Press is blaming pornography in part for the Pelicot rape scandal in France, implying that it can turn 'the most ordinary of men' into rapists."
UK Government Report Downplays Online Safety Act's Potential Impact on Porn Sites
The U.K. government released on Wednesday a new report assessing the likely impact of implementing the provisions of the controversial Online Safety Act (OSA), revealing adult industry concerns that a standalone provision directly targeting porn sites will render their operation in the U.K. “not feasible.”
'European Conservative' Editor Urges Total Porn Ban
One of Europe’s leading right-wing publications, the European Conservative, published an editorial this week claiming that “anti-porn activists have essentially won the public argument that pornography is poisoning our society” and calling for a total porn ban.
Tech Companies Propose 'Safety Codes' to Comply With Australia's Online Censor
A group of Australian trade organizations released on Monday a draft of a proposed online “safety codes” system, comprised of regulations meant to protect children from exposure to online pornography and other material categorized as “harmful content.”
French Court Orders Block of 4 Adult Sites Over Age Verification
The Paris Court of Appeal has ordered four adult sites blocked in France if they fail to comply with age verification requirements within 15 days.
Dutch Lawmakers Call for Age Verification
Two members of the Netherlands' House of Representatives have put forward a motion calling on the government to require that adult websites institute age verification procedures.
French Regulator Publishes Technical Reference Guide for Age Verification
France's Regulatory Authority for Audiovisual and Digital Communication (ARCOM) has publishedits technical reference guide for applying age verification requirements to adult websites.
US, UK Sign Joint Agreement to Regulate Internet 'Harms'
The U.S. and the U.K. have signed a joint agreement to coordinate efforts to regulate internet content — including adult content — in order to “advance stronger protections for children.”
Indonesia's Porn Criminalization Leads to Arrests After 'Enak Yank' Video Goes Viral
Indonesian police have arrested two suspects charged with making a porn video that went viral in the country, where all adult content is criminalized.
The Daily Mail Revives Discredited 'Pornography-Induced Erectile Dysfunction' (PIED) Theory
Conservative U.K. tabloid The Daily Mail this week revived the pseudo-medical concept of Pornography-Induced Erectile Dysfunction (PIED) in a porn panic piece, which used as its source statements by a British orthopedic surgeon.
Editor of UK's Top Conservative Magazine Makes Outlandish Claims About Adult Content
The commissioning editor for The Spectator, the U.K.’s leading conservative magazine, has published a sensationalizing editorial blaming adult content for a rape case currently being prosecuted in France.
UK Labour Government Confirms it Will Continue Baroness-Led 'Porn Review'
The Labour government of U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has confirmed it will continue the controversial full review of British pornography laws ordered by former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in 2023.
Japanese Manga Industry Hit by Credit Card Companies' Anti-Porn Restrictions
Japanese manga retailers are reporting pressure from multinational credit card companies — many based in the U.S. and targeted by anti-porn religious conservatives — to censor their content if they wish to maintain their current payment processing arrangements.
Academics Criticize Australian AG's 'Harmful Pornography' Inquiry
After New South Wales state authorities announced earlier this month plans to hold an inquiry on the impacts of “harmful pornography,” researchers associated with the prestigious Australian academic site The Conversation have questioned the blatantly negative framing of the project.
Fiji Politicians Ramp Up Efforts to Ban Online Porn
Fiji politicians have ramped up rhetoric linking adult content with sexual violence and calling for limiting access to adult sites in the island nation in order to “protect Fiji’s children,” following the announcement that the Anti-Pornography Taskforce established in February will convene in September to gather stakeholder input.
Thailand's Progressives Fail in Latest Attempt to Legalize Adult Entertainment, Pleasure Product Industries
The most recent legislative attempt to legalize adult entertainment and sex toys in Thailand failed to clear its first reading in the lower chamber of Parliament on Wednesday.
Indian Court Orders Google to Censor Adult Content in Searches
A local court in India has ordered government officials and the Google subsidiary in the country to prevent the appearance of porn site suggestions in search results.
Indonesia Bans DuckDuckGo, Alleging It Can Be Used to Access Pornography
The Indonesian government has outlawed the search engine DuckDuckGo, claiming it can be used to access pornography.
Aylo Challenges EU's DSA Mandate to Reveal Legal Names of Advertisers, Including Performers
Aylo has filed an appeal with the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) challenging the EU's Digital Services Act mandate to disclose the legal names of advertisers, including performers, in a publicly accessible database.
Popular Pakistani Actor and Director Yasir Hussain Proposes Legalizing Porn
Prominent Pakistani actor, director and TV personality Yasir Hussain has sparked debate in the majority-Muslim country by suggesting that pornography should be legalized there and that society should own up to so many Pakistanis already being habitual consumers.