The European Commission has announced its intention to fund a comprehensive study into how three of the world’s largest adult content platforms—Pornhub, XVideos, and XNXX—address illegal and harmful material on their services.

The platforms, each designated as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) under the Digital Services Act (DSA), will be the focus of an evidence-based investigation that emphasizes the experiences of performers, victims, and marginalized communities.

The planned study, funded up to €142,000 and scheduled to run for 12 months, aims to evaluate compliance with key provisions of the DSA, particularly Article 16, concerning notice-and-action mechanisms, and Articles 34 and 35, which cover risk assessments and mitigation strategies.

The study will investigate:

• Effectiveness of user reporting systems, including whether they are accessible, timely, and fair.
• Platform response to illegal content, such as child sexual abuse material, non-consensual intimate imagery, cyberstalking, and copyright infringement.
• Risks posed by live streaming and camming include the potential for exploitation or trafficking.
• Platform-level identity, age, and consent verification, and whether these processes meet the regulatory standards set by the DSA.

According to the Commission’s notice, the study will also examine performer-led safety practices, such as the use of intimacy coordinators, individual contracts, and community-developed consent frameworks.

A strong emphasis will be placed on incorporating the perspectives of LGBTQ+ individuals, migrants, racialized persons, and those from conflict regions or the Global South—groups often underrepresented in data on digital platform harms.

This is not yet an open tender, but a pre-announcement of the Commission’s intention to launch a negotiated middle-value procurement. Interested parties must express interest by August 17, with formal negotiations expected to begin August 18.

The Commission notes that universities, non-governmental research organizations, and other academic or public institutions are likely to be eligible to apply for the contract.

Pornhub, XVideos, and XNXX are among the most visited adult websites globally and fall within the EU’s VLOP classification due to their high volume of monthly active users. These designations, introduced under the DSA, impose enhanced obligations on large platforms to manage risks and protect users, especially minors and vulnerable groups.

In July 2024, XNXX was formally designated as a VLOP.  Stripchat, which had received the same designation in 2023, was de-designated in May 2025 after falling below the required usage threshold for 12 consecutive months.

The study is expected to inform enforcement actions and policy development as the Commission continues to monitor compliance with the DSA, which came fully into force earlier this year.

The adult content industry has come under increasing scrutiny from EU regulators amid rising concerns about non-consensual content, trafficking, and platform accountability. Previous enforcement actions and transparency demands have led to changes in policy for several platforms, but civil society organizations continue to call for more rigorous oversight.

The Commission’s latest move signals a shift toward data-driven regulation, aiming to substantiate anecdotal claims with formal research. The findings will be delivered through periodic reports, datasets, and analyses, providing the Commission with tools to hold platforms accountable under the law.

Institutions interested in participating in the procurement process can find more details on the European Commission’s funding portal.