Windows to block PornHub? German state leaders hope so

An already controversial draft legislation on youth protection in Germany has now been infused with steroids. The updated proposal requires operating systems to incorporate filtering mechanisms to block access to pornography.

PCs, laptops, smartphones, and other devices in Germany may soon include a “youth protection device” and be capable of filtering pornographic content.

Heise.de reports that German state government leaders have agreed to reform the State Treaty on Youth Media Protection Treaty (JMStV).

The updated draft document states that providers of operating systems typically used by children and adolescents, such as Windows, Android, or others, “must ensure that their operating systems have a youth protection device.”

It further details that “the youth protection device” must be able to be activated, deactivated, and adjusted in a simple, accessible, and secure manner.

Legislators want operating systems to have age indication features, which would signal to browsers and app distribution platforms what content the user can access. Only apps that correspond to the age indication could be used. Browsers would need to ensure that a “secure search function” is enabled.

Apps on distribution platforms should be filtered with the automated rating system, recognized by the German Commission for Youth Media Protection (KJM).

Basically, Windows, Android, iOS, or other operating systems should have a child mode and allow parents to set an age limit.

Heise.de reports that the proposed legislation had previously been met with criticism from IT and media associations, as it introduced requirements “neither sensible nor proportionate” with no practical added value.

The treaty includes an obligation for publishers to label their websites and apps with age ratings so the OS can recognize whether they can be offered to young people. Content without a rating would not be accessible.

The German states are also pushing for harsher blocking orders against websites such as xHamster, PornHub, OnlyFans and others. Some adult websites bypass current restrictions via mirror domains, distributing identical content under slightly different website addresses.

The new document includes strict enforcement measures, such as banning payment transactions for illegal content providers.

The proposed reform must be ratified by state parliaments before it becomes law. However, according to Heise.de, state government heads expect they will be able to sign it by their conference on March 12th, 2025.