26-6-2023 (PARIS) The new owner of Pornhub, Canadian private equity firm Ethical Capital Partners (ECP), has called on governments to shift their approach towards porn websites. Solomon Friedman, founder of ECP, believes that instead of cracking down on such platforms, governments should promote sexual expression and strive to make porn “normal” and “boring,” as he expressed in an interview with AFP.
ECP recently acquired MindGeek, the parent company of Pornhub, along with other sites including YouPorn. However, the acquisition has brought a series of legal challenges. In May, the websites were removed from the US state of Utah after being ordered to verify users’ ages. In France, discussions have been ongoing between website owners and regulators on implementing age verification laws from 2020. Two of MindGeek’s sites currently lack age verification measures and face a court ruling on July 7 that could lead to their potential ban.
Friedman clarified that ECP is committed to preventing underage users from accessing their websites. However, he believes that the responsibility should not solely rest on the websites themselves, urging operating systems to find a solution. Friedman expressed support for age verification solutions that effectively protect children without compromising personal data. He suggested that device or browser-based verification, a step that could be facilitated by companies like Google and Apple, would achieve these objectives.
MindGeek faced significant scrutiny in 2020 when the New York Times published allegations that its sites hosted content depicting sexual assaults and minors engaging in sexual activities. The article triggered regulatory pressure in multiple countries, leading Visa and MasterCard to halt payment processing for the platforms. MindGeek spent two years attempting to sell the company, which has a complex corporate structure spanning various tax havens and is primarily based in Canada with official headquarters in Luxembourg.
The new owners, including two lawyers, an ex-police officer, and an Italian investor who made his fortune in the legal cannabis industry, are eager to distance themselves from the allegations raised by the New York Times. Friedman stated that the company has undergone significant changes in recent years. He claimed that eight million pieces of content were removed in 2021, though AFP could not independently verify this claim. According to Friedman, content removal requests are promptly actioned, followed by reviews conducted after the content has been taken down. The company employs algorithms to scan uploads for copyright infringement and assigns staff members to review the material before it is made available online.
Initially, ECP was brought in to ensure MindGeek’s compliance with the law, but they recognized the investment potential and decided to acquire the company. However, the journey has been challenging. Following the exit from Utah, MindGeek faced a similar battle in Louisiana, which also has age verification requirements. The sites are still operational in Louisiana as the regulations differ slightly, eliminating the need to collect personal information. While Solomon refrained from making assumptions about the outcome in France, he acknowledged the possibility of having to withdraw the sites in compliance with local laws.
The issue of child protection from pornography has gained prominence on the political agenda, particularly since French President Emmanuel Macron pledged to prioritize this issue during his re-election campaign last year. Digital Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who has described children accessing porn websites as a “scandal,” has directly challenged ECP to outline their compliance strategy.
Solomon confirmed that he had been in contact with Barrot’s office and promised to deliver a report soon, emphasizing ECP’s commitment to “openly and proudly discuss the porn industry.” He believes that society is evolving towards embracing sexual expression and that adult content will eventually become mundane, drawing a comparison to the legalization of cannabis in Canada, which has become unremarkable.
