SALT LAKE CITY — The U.S. Federal Trade Commission(FTC) and the Utah Division of Consumer Protection have filed a proposed settlement agreement with Aylo, the parent company ofPornhub.com, over allegations related to the platform’s handling of illegal content.
Regulators allege that Aylo failed to adequately block tens of thousands of videos and images containing child sexual abuse material(CSAM) and non-consensual material (NCM), despite publicly stating that such content was strictly prohibited. Most of these alleged lapses took place prior to Aylo’s more recent reforms and compliance measures.
Settlement Terms
Under the proposed agreement, Aylo will:
- Pay $5 million in civil penalties to the state of Utah.
- Face an additional $10 million in penalties that are suspended, contingent on compliance.
- Undergo independent, third-party compliance assessments every two years for the next 10 years.
If the $5 million is paid, the lawsuit filed by Utah and the FTC will be considered resolved.
Official Statements
Christopher Mufarrige, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said:
“Pornhub’s operators turned a blind eye to the proliferation of harmful content so they could profit off exploitation. This order requires concrete steps to prevent abuse and ensure that all participants in videos are consenting adults.”
Utah Governor Spencer Cox praised the settlement, noting he is “grateful to the FTC and our Division of Consumer Protection for safeguarding children and families in Utah.”
Aylo, for its part, emphasized that the settlement reflects its long-term commitment to trust and safety.
“Aylo maintains a zero-tolerance policy for illegal content, and this agreement underscores our dedication to compliance and high standards of safety,” a company spokesperson said.
Building on Previous Agreements
This deal follows an earlier deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, which required restitution payments and third-party oversight after investigations tied to the GirlsDoPorn sex trafficking scheme.
According to Aylo, the new measures are part of its responsibility to create a safer online environment:
“Trust and safety should be a priority for every platform. The adult industry plays a vital role in ensuring the internet remains secure.”
