Pornhub bans downloads after expose alleges videos of abuse

Pornography website Pornhub has outlined new measures against illegal content on its platform after the New York Times reported finding videos depicting child sex abuse and rape on the site.

The paper asserted that among the 6.8 million new videos posted on the site each year, a majority “probably involve consenting adults, but many depict child abuse and non-consensual violence.”

Pornhub, the Times said, also lets users download videos directly from its site, which allows anyone to repost clips repeatedly and without limit.

“Today, we are taking major steps to further protect our community,” said a statement on Pornhub. “Going forward, we will only allow properly identified users to upload content. We have banned downloads.”

Only content partners and people who earn ad revenue from their videos will be able to upload videos to the site.

“In the new year, we will implement a verification process so that any user can upload content upon successful completion of identification protocol,” the statement read.

Paid downloads remain possible, says the company, adding that it has also strengthened its moderation process.

On Monday officials at MasterCard and Visa launched a probe into their links with the site, warning that they would cut ties with the parent company, MindGeek if it turns out that the site is not following the law. Meanwhile, PayPal had stopped processing payments to Pornhub last year.

Pornhub told AFP in a statement that it has “no tolerance” for content that shows sexual abuse of children.

Pakistan reportedly tops the list of most porn-searching countries.