Porn site XTube is shutting down on September 5
The beginning of the end for illegal pornography
XTube and the modern state of online pornography
XTube was founded in 2006 and was one of the first porn sites that allowed users to upload their own videos. In other words, there’s bound to be a raft of illegal content sitting on the site.
The world of online pornography needs regulation, and more measures to protect vulnerable people from abuse. The closure of XTube is a sign things are moving in the right direction.
As documented inJon Ronson’sThe Butterfly Effect, the current “tube” style of porn got its start from illegally sharing copyrighted material. When the businesses it took content from started to struggle, MindGeek then purchased them at severely reduced prices.
This all led to the consolidated online porn market we see today.
Even worse than this though are the women (because it’s mainly women) who have suffered abuse and had their lives ruined when videos of them are uploaded illegally on adult tube sites.
Steps have been taken against this, for example, Pornhubremoved all unverified contentafterVisa and Mastercard blocked paymentsto the platform — but this isn’t enough.
Pornography sites must be responsible for the content they host. And hopefully the shuttering of XTube is another step towards making this a reality.
(Edit, July 7: We incorporated the quote from MindGeek about the closure of XTube)
Story byCallum Booth
Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting(show all)Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting was cited widely, including in VICE, the FT, and the BBC.
Callum’s writing has appeared in The Verge, The Daily Telegraph, Time Out, and many more. He covers the full spectrum of technology, with a particular focus on how it shapes our daily lives. And a lot of regulation stuff too.
Outside of work, Callum’s an avid bookworm, a Fisherman’s Friends addict, and resolutely unshaven. Follow him on Twitter @CallumBooth or visit www.callumbooth.net.
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