THE INTERNET'S UGLY SIDE —

Pornhub under investigation by Visa, MasterCard amid abuse allegations

Payment processors want to know what kind of transactions they're a part of.
KATE COX - 12/7/2020, 1:34 PM

Paying for adult entertainment may become more challenging in the near future, as both Visa and MasterCard are investigating Pornhub following allegations that the site allows and profits from content depicting rape and child sexual abuse and exploitation.

Visa and MasterCard on Sunday each issued separate statements saying they were investigating Pornhub and its parent company, MindGeek, in the wake of a new report.

"We are aware of the allegations, and we are actively engaging with the relevant financial institutions to investigate, in addition to engaging directly with the site’s parent company, MindGeek," Visa told the Associated Press on Sunday. If the investigation finds Pornhub to be in violation of the law or the company's existing banking agreements, it will be prohibited from using Visa for payments.

MasterCard similarly said it was investigating the allegations "and [is] working with MindGeek’s bank to understand this situation, in addition to the other steps they have already taken," adding that it has "zero tolerance for illegal activity on our network" and that it would take "immediate action" if the claims are substantiated.

Pornhub said Sunday that allegations that it hosts child sexual abuse material are "irresponsible and flagrantly untrue," adding that it screens for and removes unlawful material from its platform.

-snip-

Pornhub bans user uploads after abuse allegations

9 December 2020

Pornhub, one of the world's most visited adult sites, is changing its rules over user uploads after being accused of hosting illegal videos.

A New York Times investigation accused the site of being "infested" with child-abuse and rape-related videos.

Pornhub said the claims were "irresponsible and flagrantly untrue".

But it has now said users must be verified to upload videos and removed its download function, which meant removed content could easily resurface.

The verification feature will launch in the new year, it said. For now, uploads have been removed for all users except industry professionals.

-snip-