The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the state of Utah have announced enforcement actions against Aylo, the operator of Pornhub and more than 100 other pornography-streaming websites, for allegedly deceiving users about their efforts to prevent child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and nonconsensual material (NCM) from appearing on their platforms.
According to the FTC and Utah’s complaint, Aylo—formerly known as MindGeek—claimed to strictly prohibit CSAM and NCM but failed to take adequate steps to block or remove such content. The company is accused of allowing tens of thousands of illegal videos and photos to remain accessible despite user flags, failing to ban uploaders of CSAM, not preventing reuploads of previously identified illegal content, and neglecting to review all videos before publication for prohibited material.
As part of a proposed settlement order, Aylo will pay a $5 million penalty to the state of Utah. The order also requires Aylo to establish a program aimed at preventing the distribution of CSAM and NCM on its sites.
“Pornhub’s operators turned a blind eye to the proliferation of videos depicting the sexual abuse of children on its sites so it could profit off this exploitation,” said Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection. “Under the order we’re announcing today, Pornhub’s operators will be required to take concrete steps to block this harmful content and ensure that those who appear in videos on their sites are consenting adults.”
“Pornhub’s operators inflicted grave harm on children and nonconsenting adults by promoting and distributing truly horrific material online,” said FTC Commissioner Melissa Holyoak, who appeared at a news conference in Salt Lake City with Utah officials. “As today’s complaint and proposed order make clear, the FTC will use every tool in its arsenal to stop such outrageous conduct.”
“This consent order is an important step in protecting people from some of the most harmful and exploitative material online,” said Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox. “Companies that profit from such conduct must be held accountable. I’m grateful to the FTC and our Division of Consumer Protection for their work to safeguard Utah’s children and families.”
Aylo operates globally popular sites including Pornhub, YouPorn, RedTube, as well as paid platforms like Pornhub Premium. These sites attract hundreds of millions of monthly visits from U.S. consumers alone.
The complaint alleges that Aylo did not maintain required paperwork under federal law for verifying ages or identities in posted content; only initiated audits after financial partners threatened action; ignored compliance team recommendations; failed at effectively blocking repeat offenders; allowed problematic content themes; neglected privacy protections for model data; failed at data security practices such as encryption or firewall protection; and misrepresented how long it retained sensitive information collected from participants.
The settlement imposes several requirements: implementing systems for age verification and consent confirmation for all individuals featured in uploaded media; removing unverified older content; posting public notices about the case outcome; improving privacy safeguards; prohibiting misrepresentation regarding prevention measures for illegal materials; and establishing procedures responsive to flagged content.
The stipulated final order was approved unanimously by a 3-0 vote among commissioners. The matter was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Utah.
Collaboration between agencies extended internationally—the FTC worked with Canada’s Office of the Privacy Commissioner using provisions under the U.S. SAFE WEB Act which facilitates cross-border cooperation against deceptive practices.
Further information about consumer protection topics can be found at https://consumer.ftc.gov/. Consumers can report fraud or bad business practices at https://ReportFraud.ftc.gov/. Updates from the agency are available via social media channels.
