The Paris Court of Appeal recently ordered French internet providers to block four pornographic websites. These platforms failed to implement proper age verification systems. The decision aims to protect minors from accessing adult content.
Targeted Websites and a Legal Oversight
The court targeted Iciporno, Mrsexe, Tukif, and xHamster. However, a legal mistake caused a partial block. The complaint against xHamster listed only its French subdomain. As a result, ISPs blocked the French version but left the main site accessible.
This oversight created a loophole, weakening the court’s efforts. Now, the regulator Arcom must find a solution to fully enforce the ruling.
Court Justifies the Ban
The court prioritized children’s safety over other rights. It stated, “children’s general interest was an overriding consideration which may justify infringement of other rights such as freedom of expression or communication.”
It argued that avoiding age verification to protect adult privacy conflicts with protecting minors.
Next Steps
This ruling marks progress in shielding minors online. However, the incomplete block highlights enforcement challenges. Regulators must now act quickly to close gaps and implement the court’s decision.
This case shows the difficulty of balancing child safety and online freedom in today’s digital world.