Two weeks ago, the CSA ordered PornHub, Xvideo, Xnxx, Tukif and XHamster to set up an age verification system on their respective sites. The platforms have two weeks to comply, otherwise their access may be blocked by the ISPs at the request of the CSA. And while the deadline has come to an end, no solution has been found.
We told you about it in our columns on December 14, 2021. The CSA had ordered five popular pornographic sites in France, namely Xvideos, Xnxx, PornHub, XHamster and Tukif to comply with the penal code and the law on violence marriage partners of July 30, 2020 by establishing an effective age verification system (other than the simple question on honor).
The X sites will have 15 days to do the necessary. After this period, the CSA will reserve the right to order the ISPs to block access to the sites concerned until further notice. However, the deadline was set for Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Have the previously mentioned pornographic platforms done what is necessary? Not yet. In truth, this age verification question is a real puzzle, in particular with regard to the protection of user data.
Indeed, the CNIL recently clarified: the mechanism adopted must respect several principles, starting with the use and limited and adequate retention of personal data. In other words, the system should not impose a “general identification obligation ” while he must not either “collect data directly identifying the user ”.
Also read: Pornhub, Xvideos, TuKif – porn sites refuse to comply with the law, here’s why
The X sites are trying to find solutions, the CSA remains silent
We must therefore find the ideal solution, which offers the perfect balance between efficiency, reliability, security and confidentiality. One of the most widely used options is to use “third party verifiers”, companies specializing in identity verification. Generally, these companies offer different devices to check whether visitors are of legal age: scanning an identity document, estimating the user’s age via a selfie, analyzing information posted on social networks.
To guarantee the security and confidentiality of Internet user data, these subcontractors do not keep the data collected. Well, generally. Fact, the CNIL has rejected this method which it considers too risky for users. One of the methods considered by the pornographic sites was to carry out an SMS verification: the site sends an SMS to the visitor to verify the number and validates his age thanks to the customer data of the operators.
A system that had the merit of being fast, minimally invasive and inexpensive. Unfortunately, ARCEP, Orange, SFR and the other operators have simply refused to implement it. Results, the situation is not moving forward one iota. And as the leader of Tukif specifies, it is necessary to add to that the silence of the CSA, which remains deaf to the requests for consultation of the X sites.
Source: BFM