To protect children

Porn only against a passport: first EU country takes the plunge

The "porn pass" is due to be launched in September.(Bild: Krone KREATIV/ANR Production, Brian Jackson, graphicINmotion – stock.adobe.com)

Millions of internet users in the USA now have to identify themselves if they want to access pornographic content. Corresponding age checks are also planned in the EU. Spain is the first country to take the plunge with its "porn passport". However, the sense and usefulness of the measure are controversial.

"As you may know, your elected representatives require us to verify your age before we grant you access to our website," says porn star Cherie DeVille - fully clothed - in a video on Pornhub, which the website serves to millions of visitors in the USA instead of the usual fare. And that's all you can see, because in response to laws passed in numerous US states that require age verification, Pornhub has pulled the plug itself as a precaution - Krone+ reported.