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The changes took the number of videos on the website from 13.5 million videos down to a little under 3 million. Going forward, content creators must become verified using Pornhub’s process that involves uploading a picture of themselves with their username.
The Canadian-based website jabbed other social media websites, writing that “every piece of Pornhub content is from verified uploaders, a requirement that platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Snapchat and Twitter have yet to institute.”
“In today’s world, all social media platforms share the responsibility to combat illegal material.,” Pornhub stated. “Solutions must be driven by real facts and real experts. We hope we have demonstrated our dedication to leading by example.”
New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof described recordings on Pornhub’s website of assaults of unconscious women and girls, including a naked video of a 14-year-old girl. He wrote that Pornhub allows videos to be downloaded directly from its site, leaving room for content to spread and be reuploaded to the internet even after it’s been taken down.
Pornhub denied the allegations, stating that any assertion it allows child sex abuse material (CSAM) on its platform is “irresponsible and flagrantly untrue.”
“Due to the nature of our industry, people’s preconceived notions of Pornhub’s values and processes often differ from reality — but it is counterproductive to ignore the facts regarding a subject as serious as CSAM, ” Pornhub said in a previous statement to CNN Business.
“We have zero tolerance for CSAM. Pornhub is unequivocally committed to combating CSAM, and has instituted an industry-leading trust and safety policy to identify and eradicate illegal material from our community.”
— CNN Business’ Jazmin Goodwin contributed to this report.