Germany to block access to major porn site over child safety concerns

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German state authorities are about to block access to one of the world’s largest pornographic sites over child-protection concerns.

Officials from Germany’s Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media or KJM (Kommission für Jugendmedienschutz) are set to issue a blocking order to the country’s internet service providers and said a site, believed to be xHamster, should be banned, as per Wired UK last Wednesday, July 14.

KJM chairman Marc Jan Eumann said in an interview that German officials were taking action against four major sites. While he did not confirm which site or sites will be blocked under the order, many speculated that he was referring to xHamster, YouPorn, Pornhub and MyDirtyHobby.

The blocking order comes after the four sites have been accused of failure to introduce an age-verification check to stop minors from accessing pornographic materials. It is the latest action from regulators who have been campaigning age checks on the said websites.

Regulators have pushed for the inclusion of a feature for uploading identity documents on pornographic sites since September 2019, in accordance with a German law that makes adult content inaccessible to children.

“We have a blocking order for the hosting provider, which is based in the Netherlands. If the host provider does not comply, we will take the last step,” Eumann was quoted as saying. “The last step is taking actions, a blocking order, against German access provider.”

Authorities first contacted the websites last year, but their requests for age verification turned into a legal battle. According to Eumann, the matter now has three pending cases in an administrative court.

Officials also tried to get web companies to voluntary block the sites in August last year, but the internet providers refused to do so.

Some service providers said they would “assess” blocking orders that may be issued regarding the case.

xHamster, meanwhile, has reportedly declined to comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings. Dana Cruz /ra

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