Protection of persons under 18 online: Arcom notes the introduction of age verification schemes by six new pornographic sites
On August 1, in accordance with the French law of May 21, 2024 aimed at securing and regulating the digital environment (SREN law), Arcom issued a formal notice to five pornographic sites established in the European Union, accessible in France and designated by the ministerial order of February 26, 2025, after noting the absence of age verification measures on these services.
Noting that the sites concerned had since implemented one or more age verification solutions, the Arcom college, meeting today, decided not to initiate blocking and delisting proceedings against them.
The college also decided not to issue a formal notice to a sixth pornographic site (also designated by the aforementioned decree), which had reactivated its age verification scheme - suspended for a time - after receiving a letter of observation sent by Arcom in early August.
Arcom is pleased to note that the age verification tools available on the market can be used by pornographic sites.
It will continue to ensure that pornographic sites comply with their obligation to verify the age of their users, in order to protect person under 18s from exposure to content that is harmful to them.
To this end, it will assess the compliance of age verification schemes with the requirements set out in its technical guidelines. Where appropriate, legal sanctions may be imposed.
In addition, it will continue to target pornographic sites with smaller audiences than those primarily targeted, and will assess the risks of circumventing blocking orders.
Arcom also draws attention to the action taken by the European Commission against the very large pornographic platforms designated in 2023, and encourages the latter to communicate as soon as possible on the follow-up to these proceedings.
Press release
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