Access to adult websites in France, particularly for Orange customers, has been restricted following a court ruling mandating age verification to protect minors. Other ISPs are involved, but enforcement varies. MrSexe has blocked all French IP addresses due to compliance difficulties. The restrictions were delayed due to notification issues to ISPs. The move is part of a legislative effort to ensure effective age checks while balancing user privacy, with some sites considering withdrawal from the market or technical workarounds.
Access Restrictions on Adult Sites in France
Recently, many users browsing adult websites may have encountered an unexpected hurdle: access denial. This situation predominantly affects customers of Orange, the leading French internet provider, which imposed restrictions on several popular platforms, including Xhamster, Tukif, Iciporno, and MrSexe, starting November 15, 2024.
Court Ruling and Age Verification Compliance
The blockade of these websites was prompted by a ruling from the Paris Court of Appeal on October 17. The court mandated these sites to implement effective age verification measures to prevent minors from accessing adult content. This decision underscores the ongoing efforts in France to enhance online safety for younger audiences.
Orange is not alone in this initiative; other significant internet service providers like Free, Bouygues Telecom, and SFR are also involved in this crackdown. However, the enforcement of these restrictions is inconsistent across different providers. For instance, as of now, users with Bouygues may still access the aforementioned sites.
Interestingly, MrSexe has opted for a different strategy by blocking all users connecting from French IP addresses. The site stated, “In the absence of a reliable and economically viable technical solution, we decided to block access to the site for all affected visitors.” This self-imposed restriction highlights the challenges faced by adult sites in navigating the new legal landscape.
Initially, the enforcement of these access blocks was expected to occur by the end of October, but delays arose due to insufficient notification to ISPs regarding the court’s decision. As a result, these adult platforms enjoyed a brief extension before the restrictions took effect.
This move to restrict access is part of a broader legislative framework in France aimed at ensuring that pornographic websites adequately verify the ages of their users, moving beyond the ineffective honor declaration previously in place. The goal is to protect minors from exposure to adult content, which can have detrimental effects on their psychological and sexual development, as highlighted by the e-Enfance association.
While the need for protective measures is clear, the challenge remains: how to verify the age of users without compromising their personal information or privacy. Currently, one of the options being considered is using credit card verification, although this approach has its own limitations.
Many adult websites are exploring ways to comply with these new regulations moving forward, much like MrSexe has done. However, some may opt to withdraw from the French market altogether, while others might bypass the restrictions using various technical means such as DNS alterations or VPNs.