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German court rules Pornhub and YouPorn cannot be blocked
The Higher Administrative Court (OVG) of North Rhine-Westphalia has ruled that the adult websites Pornhub and YouPorn cannot be blocked in Germany at this time. The court confirmed two interim decisions stating that blocking orders issued by the NRW State Media Authority likely violate European Union law.
While the court acknowledged that these platforms do not comply with German youth protection standards because they lack effective age verification, it noted that the operators are based in Cyprus. Under the EU country of origin principle, online service providers are generally subject to the laws of the member state where they are established rather than the laws of every country where they are accessible.
The court clarified that this ruling does not grant permission for foreign platforms to offer pornography to minors in Germany. Instead, it determined that regulatory jurisdiction lies elsewhere: authorities in Cyprus are responsible for YouPorn, while the European Commission holds responsibility for Pornhub, which is classified as a very large online platform.
Entities
European Commission · Landesanstalt für Medien NRW · Oberverwaltungsgericht Nordrhein-Westfalen · Pornhub · YouPorn
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The Higher Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia confirmed that blocking orders issued by the NRW State Media Authority likely violate EU law. www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.muensterlandzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The court cited the EU country of origin principle, which requires online providers to follow the laws of their home member state. www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.muensterlandzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] The European Commission holds responsibility for Pornhub, which is classified as a very large online platform. www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.muensterlandzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Regulatory authority for YouPorn lies with the authorities in Cyprus. www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.muensterlandzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de
- [● 3 SOURCES] Pornhub and YouPorn do not comply with German youth protection regulations due to a lack of effective age verification. www.dorstenerzeitung.de · www.muensterlandzeitung.de · www.stimberg-zeitung.de