German Media Regulators Want to Block Payments to Adult Sites

admin August 19, 2025

German media regulators, led by the Commission for the Protection of Minors in the Media (KJM), are pushing to block payments to adult websites like Pornhub that fail to comply with age-verification laws. The strategy, outlined by KJM chair Marc Jan Eumann, aims to cut off revenue streams to force compliance with Germany’s strict age-gating requirements under the Interstate Treaty on the Protection of Minors in the Media (JMStV). This follows a July 2025 ruling by the Higher Administrative Court of Rhineland-Palatinate, upholding bans on Aylo-owned sites like Pornhub and YouPorn for non-compliance. Regulators plan to pressure banks and payment processors to halt transactions, a move critics call a “financial chokehold” that risks blurring financial regulation with censorship. Opponents, including digital rights advocates, argue this threatens free expression and privacy, while legal experts warn it could face EU-level challenges due to jurisdictional issues, as many sites operate outside Germany (e.g., Aylo is based in Cyprus). Supporters claim it’s a necessary step to protect minors, potentially setting a precedent for Europe. The adult industry, including voices like attorney Marko Dörre, calls it an overreach, predicting severe economic impacts on both mainstream and niche