Pornhub, RedTube, YouPorn Exit France in Protest of Age-Restriction Law

The company behind popular adult sites Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube is blocking access to users in France starting Wednesday, June 5, 2025.

The move is in protest of a French law that requires porn platforms to verify users are over 18 years old, as reported by Le Monde.

“I can confirm that Aylo has made the difficult decision to suspend access to its user-uploaded platforms (P-rnhub, YouP-rn, RedTube) in France. We will be using our platforms to directly address the French public tomorrow” a Pornhub spokesperson said, as reported by Reuters.

The French government wants to stop minors from easily accessing adult content. Reuters reports that France’s media watchdog, Arcom, says 2.3 million minors visit porn sites every month. Since 2020, websites have been required to go beyond just a checkbox to prove users’ age.

France’s junior digital minister, Clara Chappaz, responded firmly: “If Aylo would rather leave France than apply our laws, they are free to do so,” as reported by Reuters

Users in France who visit the sites will see a message claiming the law threatens privacy. Aylo says it should be tech companies like Apple or Google—not the websites—that handle age checks, as reported by Le Monde.

Aylo, which also owns adult studio Brazzers, says these rules hurt its business model based on free, one-click access supported by ads.

Starting June 6, France can force internet providers to block sites that don’t follow the law. Aylo made a similar exit in several U.S. states with similar regulations. Pornhub reportedly receives 7 million visits daily from France, its second-largest audience worldwide, as reported by Le Monde.

The EU is also investigating Pornhub and others over child protection issues, as noted by Le Monde. The sites have faced past scandals involving moderation failures and illegal content.