Pornhub removes all videos by unverified users from site

Dec 14 2020, 11:43 pm

Pornhub is removing all content uploaded from unverified users after Visa and Mastercard announced last week they were suspending the use of their credit cards on the site over allegations that it hosted depictions of child sexual abuse.

The popular porn site, owned by MindGeek, banned unverified users from uploading new content last week. On Sunday, they posted an update to their blog saying they were suspending all previously uploaded content not posted by content partners or members of their model program.

“This means every piece of Pornhub content is from verified uploaders,” it said.

Content creators can become verified by submitting a selfie of them holding a piece of paper with their Pornhub username on it.

The site’s search bar now shows it hosts approximately 2.9 million videos, which is a fraction of the 13.5 million it hosted before the purge, according to a Vice report.

Pornhub’s actions come after Visa and Mastercard said users would no longer be able to charge Pornhub purchases to their credit cards. The card companies took this step following a New York Times piece suggesting the site hosted videos of childhood sexual assault and exploitation.

Pornhub, however, believes these sanctions were taken after lobbying by those who disapprove of pornography, arguing social media sites where illegal content is also posted are not subject to the same standards.

“It is clear that Pornhub is being targeted not because of our policies and how we compare to our peers, but because we are an adult content platform,” it said.

Megan DevlinMegan Devlin

+ News
ADVERTISEMENT