Pornhub to Restrict UK Access Amid Online Safety Act Concerns
Pornhub announced it will restrict access to its website for users in the United Kingdom starting February 2, citing concerns over the UK's Online Safety Act (OSA) and its age verification requirements. According to the company, only individuals who have previously created a Pornhub account will be able to access the site's content.
Aylo, Pornhub's parent company, stated that the OSA updates had "not achieved its goal of protecting minors" and had instead "diverted traffic to darker, unregulated corners of the internet." The company reported a 77% decrease in traffic to the website following the implementation of the law change in October.
Ofcom, the UK's regulator, previously stated that the tougher age checks were fulfilling their intended purpose.
Former French Senator Found Guilty of Drugging MP
Joel Guerriau, a former French senator, was found guilty of drugging a member of parliament, Sandrine Josso, with ecstasy in November 2023 with the intention of sexually assaulting her. Guerriau, 68, received a four-year prison sentence, with 18 months to be served behind bars. He was also ordered to pay Josso €5,000 (£4,348) in damages for emotional distress, according to local media reports.
Guerriau admitted to spiking Josso's drink with MDMA after inviting her to his Paris flat, but he maintained it was an accident and denied any intention of assault. Josso, 50, described the verdict on Tuesday as a "huge relief," according to AFP. Guerriau's lawyers stated that he would appeal the decision.
Spain to Legalize Status of Undocumented Migrants
The Spanish government announced plans to legalize the status of undocumented migrants, a measure expected to benefit at least 500,000 people. Regularization will be available to foreign nationals who do not have a criminal record and can prove they lived in Spain for at least five months prior to December 31, 2025.
"This is an historic day for our country," said Elma Saiz, Spain's minister of inclusion, social security and migration. Beneficiaries will receive an initial one-year residence permit.
TikTok Settles Ahead of Social Media Addiction Trial
TikTok reached a settlement just hours before a landmark social media addiction trial was set to begin in California. The plaintiff, a 20-year-old woman identified as KGM, alleged that the design of the platforms' algorithms led to her addiction to social media and negatively impacted her mental health.
"The parties are pleased to have reached an amicable resolution of this dispute," the Social Media Victims Law Center said regarding the TikTok settlement, adding that the terms were confidential. The defendants now include Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook, and YouTube parent company Google.
UK Legal Action Against Valve Over Steam Prices Approved
Valve Corporation will face a £656 million lawsuit in the UK over alleged unfair pricing practices on its Steam online store. A tribunal ruled that the case could proceed. The gaming giant is accused of abusing its market dominance by imposing restrictive terms on game publishers and locking players into using Steam, the world's largest distribution platform for PC gaming.
The legal action was brought by digital rights campaigner Vicki Shotbolt in 2024 on behalf of up to 14 million Steam users across the UK, who could be in line for compensation if she wins. Valve has been contacted for comment.
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