In a bold effort to protect minors online, France has introduced strict new requirements for adult websites under the SREN law short for the Security and Regulation of the Digital Space Act. The regulation mandates that adult content providers implement robust age verification systems that go beyond simple checkbox confirmations. The law is now being actively enforced by the French media regulator, Arcom, which has begun issuing formal warnings to major adult websites across Europe.
A Closer Look at the SREN Law
What the Law Requires
The SREN law, adopted in 2024, aims to regulate online spaces and ensure that minors are effectively prevented from accessing pornographic content. Adult websites operating in France must now implement technical systems that confirm a user’s age without collecting sensitive personal information. These systems must meet the standard of "double anonymity," ensuring that neither the content provider nor the verification provider can directly identify the user or link their activity to specific content.
Arcom’s Role in Enforcement
Arcom has been tasked with enforcing these new rules and has already begun doing so. On June 11, 2025, the regulator sent formal notices to five major adult platforms, demanding compliance within three weeks. Failure to do so would lead to delisting from search engines and blocking at the ISP level in France. This marks one of the most assertive regulatory actions taken in Europe to date regarding age verification and adult content access.
The Five Adult Sites Targeted by Arcom
Among the sites that received enforcement letters are some of the most visited adult platforms in the world:
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xHamster
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Xvideos
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XNXX
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xHamsterLive
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TNAFlix
These sites, while based within the European Union, have been accused of failing to implement age verification systems in accordance with French law. Arcom's warning signifies that the jurisdiction of French authorities extends even to foreign-based platforms when their services are accessible to users in France.
Legal Challenges and Industry Reactions
Ongoing Court Battles
The companies behind these websites have raised legal objections, questioning whether France has the authority to regulate platforms based in other EU member states. Some had previously succeeded in having enforcement measures temporarily suspended by a French administrative court. However, in July 2025, France’s Council of State ruled that the SREN law could indeed be enforced against platforms operating from other EU countries, as long as they are accessible in France.
Platforms Push Back
In response to the legal pressure, some major websites temporarily restricted access for French users. Operators claimed the law was overly broad and technically impractical, raising serious privacy concerns. They argued that the responsibility for verifying users' ages should rest with large technology providers like Apple, Google, or Microsoft, which control the operating systems and devices used to access adult content.
Europe-Wide Implications
A Ripple Effect Across Borders
France’s actions are setting a precedent that other countries are closely watching. The United Kingdom, for example, has introduced its own online safety rules requiring age checks for certain content. EU-wide discussions are also underway regarding unified digital identity systems that could streamline compliance across borders. As the European regulatory environment continues to evolve, France’s bold stance could shape the future of digital policy across the continent.
Balancing Regulation and Rights
One of the most debated aspects of the new law is the balance between safeguarding minors and protecting adult users' rights to privacy and free expression. France’s “double anonymity” requirement is an attempt to find middle ground. While it satisfies regulatory demands, it also seeks to protect users from data exploitation. Critics argue that despite good intentions, the system still poses risks and may lead to reduced access to legal adult content for consenting adults.
What Lies Ahead
France’s enforcement of the SREN law represents a turning point in online content regulation. By holding even internationally-based platforms accountable, Arcom has made it clear that national laws can and will extend across digital borders when the public interest is at stake. For adult content platforms, the message is unmistakable: comply with privacy-respecting age verification, or face real consequences. For other countries, France’s example may serve as both a model and a warning in the evolving debate over digital safety and freedom.
