Pornhub in France: why the block remains largely bypassable

Since the summer of 2025, French internet users have been frustrated to discover that access to Pornhub, one of the largest adult streaming sites in the world, is restricted within national territory. Officially, the censorship is part of a protection approach, notably to combat minors’ access to this content. However, despite the apparent severity of this blocking decided by the Aylo group in response to the constraints imposed by ARCOM, the reality of usage is quite different. Indeed, far from constituting an insurmountable lock, this internet filtering is sooner or later bypassed by simple and accessible methods. This situation raises a complex debate mixing issues of privacy, cybersecurity, digital freedoms, and the real effectiveness of regulation. This phenomenon is not limited to France but resonates internationally by highlighting the limits of strict control policies on the web.

The purpose of this article is to explore why the blocking of Pornhub in France remains largely ineffective, which techniques are used to access it nonetheless, and what challenges this situation poses for all concerned actors, whether users, regulators, or service providers.

The Deep Reasons Behind the Blocking of Pornhub in France and the Legislative Context

The blocking of the Pornhub site in France is not a simple whim of the authorities but the result of a major regulatory evolution aimed at strictly framing access to adult sites. Since the law adopted in May 2024, ARCOM has imposed on specialized platforms the rigorous verification of visitors’ age. The stated objective is clear: to prevent minors from being exposed to inappropriate content by enabling strong identification of users.

To comply with this law, the required means are nevertheless drastic:

• scan of the identity document with automatic verification,
• mandatory bank authentication,
• facial recognition via advanced biometric technologies.

These methods raise many issues around the collection and storage of sensitive data. The Aylo group, owner of Pornhub, thus refused to apply these rules, invoking a major risk of leakage and an increased danger for the security of its users’ personal data. Consequently, Aylo preferred to voluntarily cut access to Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube for French internet users as of July 15, 2025. This decision is a strong act of protest against what it considers an excessive intrusion into privacy.

The following table summarizes the main requirements imposed by ARCOM and the arguments for and against:

Requirement	Stated Objective	Critiques and Risks
Identity document scan	Verify user’s precise age	Massive storage, potential hacking, privacy violation
Bank authentication	Guaranteed access to adults only	Exclusion of unbanked individuals, fraud risk, intrusive collection
Facial recognition	Prevent identity fraud	Increased surveillance, technological bias, distrust

France thus becomes an unprecedented laboratory where the tension between protecting minors and respecting digital freedoms is measured, a delicate balance still largely debated.

Techniques and Tools Used to Bypass the Blocking of Pornhub in France

Despite the official nature of the blocking, access to Pornhub by French internet users remains largely possible thanks to a series of simple and tested technical tools. The most widespread method to bypass censorship relies on the use of VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). These virtual private networks create a secure tunnel allowing a user to mask their real IP address and simulate an internet connection from another country where Pornhub is not blocked.

The process is simple and accessible to everyone:

1. Download a recognized VPN software, such as NordVPN or ExpressVPN,
2. Authenticate and activate the VPN protection on the device,
3. Choose a server located in a foreign country (Belgium, Spain, Canada…) where Pornhub is allowed,
4. Access the Pornhub site as if connected outside of France.

This method has experienced spectacular growth: searches and downloads of VPNs surged by more than 500% in France at the announcement and implementation of the blocking, a historic record demonstrating the French people’s desire to maintain their access despite restrictions.

Beyond VPNs, some users also exploit proxies, which act as intermediaries masking traffic origin. These web proxies or specialized applications allow direct access to filtered content without passing through fully encrypted tunnels, although this is often less secure and less stable than VPNs.

Comparative table of main bypass solutions:

Tool	Principle	Advantages	Limitations
VPN	Encrypted tunnel, IP mask	Very secure, reliable, multi-device	Potential cost, possible slowdowns
Proxy	Connection relay	Often free, simple	Less secure, frequent disconnections
Smart DNS	DNS filtering bypass	Fast, easy to configure	Low risk of blocking, little privacy

Thus, even though France officially closes the door, it inadvertently leaves a window open to adult streaming enthusiasts.

Privacy Issues and Risks Linked to the Imposed Age Verification

At the heart of the controversy surrounding the closure of Pornhub in France lies the crucial question of privacy respect. The authorities wish to protect minors by requiring intrusive verification, but in doing so, they force adult users to sacrifice a significant part of their confidentiality.

The collection and especially the storage of official documents, biometric data, or banking information on servers exposes to multiple risks:

• Massive data leaks: several sites have already experienced cyberattacks, such as in 2019 the hentai site “Luscious” whose data of 40,000 French users were compromised.
• Identity theft: the digital ID card associated with intimate browsing history can be exploited maliciously.
• Loss of anonymity: online pornography use is often private, and wanting to track it so precisely can lead to stigmatization or discrimination.

The table below illustrates the risks faced by internet users:

Exposure Risks	Potential Consequences	Concrete Examples
Biometric data theft	Identity theft, fraud	Attacks on governmental databases
Sensitive information leak	Blackmail, cyberbullying	Hentai Luscious 2019
Social stigmatization	Reputation damage, discrimination	Revealing browsing habits

The use of a VPN, by masking personal data and speeding up connection security, thus appears as a particularly suitable response to these concerns, thereby reinforcing its popularity explosion in France in this context.

The Key Role of Age Verification in the Fight Against Minors’ Exposure to Adult Content

The key argument advanced to justify the strict regulation is the preservation of minors, who are particularly vulnerable to the influence of explicit images and videos on their psychological development. ARCOM bases its figures on alarming data:

• Nearly 2.3 million minors would have monthly access to adult sites in France,
• More than half of 12-year-old boys would already be exposed to pornographic content,
• Among adolescents aged 16 to 17, up to two-thirds would regularly use these platforms.

This observation pushes to act, but the fundamental question remains how to reconcile this requirement with the protection of private data. What are the most effective tools and methods, while respecting individual rights?

Alternatives to biometric or banking verification, such as:

• validation by certified anonymous prepaid card,
• use of third-party applications guaranteeing anonymity,
• implementation of reinforced parental control coupled with appropriate digital education,

appear in public debates as avenues to explore to break the deadlock.

Current Method	Advantages	Disadvantages
Identity scan, facial recognition	High reliability	Intrusive and risky in terms of privacy
Parental control	Favors family responsibility	Less reliable if misused
Prepaid card validation	Anonymous, respectful of privacy	Little developed in France

An Unavoidable Societal and Educational Challenge

The real fight cannot be limited to technical control: it is also about educating younger generations to responsible and critical digital consumption, developing awareness of confidentiality and respect for others from the earliest age. This educational aspect complements strict regulation and must be integrated into a global strategy to reduce potential harm linked to early exposure to adult content.

The Example of Other Countries in Terms of Blocking and Bypassing Adult Sites

While France stands out this year with a strict measure and voluntary lockout, it is not the first to experiment with this type of digital control. The United Kingdom, Australia, and some US states have adopted similar regulations, aiming to verify visitors’ ages on adult sites. There too, blocking triggered an explosion in demand for VPNs and other bypass tools.

In London, for instance, the attempt to establish an “age control barrier” caused a rush toward circumvention services, illustrating the intrinsic difficulty of enforcing such measures in the fluid environment of the internet.

Moreover, some platforms have sought to offer less intrusive verification alternatives, betting on:

• partnerships with third-party authentication service providers respecting strict privacy standards,
• use of anonymized access tokens,
• automated age assessments via artificial intelligence without collecting personal data.

Country	Type of Regulation	Consequences	Main Bypass
United Kingdom	Age control via scan	Increase in VPN use, controversies	VPN and proxies
Australia	National DNS filtering	Partial blockings, reactions	Smart DNS, VPN
France	Voluntary blocking by platform	VPN surge, debates	VPN, proxies

This table shows that filtering as internet censorship often pushes audiences to develop strategies to maintain free access to content, highlighting the difficulty of reconciling regulation and digital expectations in our modern societies.

Impact of the Pornhub Block on Consumption and the Adult Streaming Market in France

The Pornhub shutdown is not limited to a simple technical issue; it also influences the French consumption habits. Despite the closure, the adult streaming market in France remains dynamic, and users do not disappear but change access methods.

Among notable developments, we observe:

• A shift towards other unblocked or less restrictive platforms,
• A massive recourse to streaming via VPN, with France ranking second worldwide in Pornhub traffic before the blocking,
• A polarization of uses on sites offering more diversified or alternative content,
• An increase in concerns regarding data protection and online privacy.

This context creates a supply and demand movement where technological innovation and regulation attempt to evolve in parallel but often in opposition.

Indicator	Before Blocking	After Blocking	Observations
Number of internet users accessing Pornhub	Several million monthly	Official drop to zero	Access via VPN not counted
VPN search and installation	Stable trend	Record increase of +570%	Significant technological leap
Traffic on alternative sites	Stable	Notable increase	Diversification of uses

Legal and Political Implications of Pornhub Blocking in France

Aylo’s refusal to comply with the SREN law and ARCOM’s decision, validated by the Council of State, opens a significant legal battleground. The fundamental question posed is about the limits and scope of internet regulation, notably concerning legal but sensitive content.

Political and legal debates underline several essential points:

• National digital sovereignty versus global actors on the internet,
• Platform responsibilities in data collection and personal data protection,
• The risk of creating a precedent compromising the freedom of access to certain types of content,
• The need to reconcile minors’ protection and individual freedoms.

This clash between technological innovation, regulation, and fundamental rights is emblematic of modern digital challenges, going far beyond the sole question of adult streaming.

Legal Aspect	Main Issues	Possible Consequences
ARCOM Regulation	Protection of minors	Site blocking, legal challenges
User Rights	Privacy, free access	Legal appeals, pressure on regulators
Platform Responsibility	Data security	Increased obligations, sanctions

The Future of Adult Web Access in France: Perspectives on Bypassing and Regulation

Given the current situation, the future of Pornhub and adult sites in France seems marked by a difficult compromise between censorship and free access. The massive success of VPNs and other alternative streaming methods suggests that users do not intend to give up their habits.

In this context, several avenues deserve to be explored:

• Technological innovation: development of less intrusive and more privacy-respecting age verification methods,
• Strengthened dialogue: between authorities, platforms, and users to find an acceptable balance,
• Digital education: promoting responsible use and informing about risks and secure alternatives,
• Enhanced cybersecurity: increased protection against hacking and data leaks.

These avenues reflect the complexity of a field coveted as much for its social as for its technological stakes. The battle between blocking and bypassing is just beginning and illustrates the difficulty of imposing effective digital control without weakening internet users’ trust.

Perspective	Description	Expected Benefits
Non-intrusive verification	Anonymized solutions, access tokens	Privacy respect, effectiveness
Multiparty dialogue	Inclusion of stakeholders	Better compromise, acceptability
Education	Awareness of risks and uses	Damage reduction, empowerment
Cybersecurity	Strengthened standards, audits	Increased trust, prevention