The European Union accused four pornographic platforms on Thursday of allowing children to access adult content in breach of digital rules, putting the companies at risk of large fines.
The European Commission said its preliminary findings said that Pornhub, Stripchat, XNXX, and XVideos failed to protect children’s rights and well-being. The EU said minors could access all four platforms with a simple click, confirming they are over 18.
READ ALSO: EU Probes Snapchat Over Suspected Child Protection Failings
The Union Thursday also launched an investigation into Snapchat over suspicions that the platform is not doing enough to protect children using the app.
US messaging app Snapchat has around 97 million monthly active users in the 27-nation bloc and is a wildly popular platform with teenagers and young adults.
The European Commission said it was looking into whether Snapchat breached digital content rules by “exposing minors to grooming attempts” as well as to information about the sale of illegal products like drugs.
The probe is the first into Snapchat under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) law, which has come under attack from President Donald Trump’s administration.
Snapchat said the safety and well-being of its users was a “top priority”.
“As online risks evolve, we continuously review, strengthen, and invest in these safeguards,” a spokesperson said.
“We have fully cooperated with the commission to date — engaging proactively, transparently, and working in good faith to meet the DSA’s high safety standards — and we will continue to do so,” the spokesperson added.
AFP
