Turn of the screw for porn sites. As of this Saturday, platforms must strengthen their control of the age of users to comply with the law aimed at securing and regulating the digital space (SREN), passed in 2024, and with the requirements of Arcom. Initially, a bank card should be sufficient. Subsequently, users will have to use solutions managed by external providers, who will verify an identity document or a video selfie.
Among consumers of X-rated videos who responded to our call for testimonials, the news is freshly received. “That’s bullshit, there’s no question of giving my ID,” says Simon*. In my opinion, there will be a lot of fakes. » “As an adult user, I tell myself that it’s going to be a hassle because, obviously, I don’t want to be on file,” says Marc*, in his forties in the Bordeaux region. […] It will remind us of the time when a friend who had Canal had to record the porn of the week for us, play us the tape and the parents weren’t at home to watch it. Maybe it’s time to stock up on your hard drive. »
View porn sites under VPN
“The act of consuming pornography is very often an immediate need and verification would be a hindrance,” admits Vince. The feeling of shame linked to this practice and the sharing of personal elements with unknown platforms does not make you want it. » Alexis, 35, thinks that this measure will “suffocate a French porn industry already in great difficulty”, but above all encourage the consultation of “illegal platforms, often based abroad, which escape any regulation”.
While few mention a possible move to paid plans like OnlyFans, some still mention another means of accessing porn. “There are social networks that offer this kind of content without verifying the age of the user,” explains Val. Reddit and Twitter [désormais appelé X, sans mauvais jeu de mots] have bright days ahead of them! » The social network has in fact explicitly authorized adult content since June. Some users also mention the use of VPNs, these data protection programs, which can also trick your Internet browser into believing that you are connecting from another country.
As we have said, Internet users fear the use of their personal data. “I am afraid of giving my identity or my credit card to any site for fear of hacking,” fears “Tonik”. This does not only concern these adult sites, security on the Internet is illusory. » “This raises concerns about the exploitation and protection of personal data,” adds Alexis. It could also discourage users from accessing legal content for fear of being stigmatized or monitored. » Don’t panic on this point: verification systems should go through third-party companies, who will not know for which exact service they are required to confirm a person’s age.
“If one site is blocked, there will be others”
There are a few, despite everything, who welcome the initial objective: restricting access to pornography for minors, while a 2023 Arcom study showed that 12% of the audience of pornographic sites was carried out by them. “Whatever the means, we must do something to protect children and especially adolescents,” applauds Filippo. New measures are therefore welcome, although they do not work. At worst, we looked for solutions. »
The majority in any case shares the opinion that certain sites will not respect the law and will remain accessible more simply – or will find a way to circumvent the requests of the authorities. “I don’t think it will change anything, because I mainly use sites that ignore regulations and offer paid content for free. If there is one who asks for identity, I will find another site, and if it is blocked, there will be others, estimates Lionel *. The only thing that could really curb such practices is if search engines prevent any type of porn-related query, because parental controls are clearly not enough. » Without getting to that point, Internet users may have to allow five extra minutes during their next visit to site X.
* First names have been changed
