Recent reports regarding the presence of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and other non-consensual content on the adult platform Pornhub led the House of Commons Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (the Committee) to undertake a study on the protection of privacy and reputation on online platforms such as Pornhub. This study gave the Committee a window into the world of adult websites and how their content moderation practices have failed to protect the privacy and reputation of individuals online.

The Committee heard harrowing accounts from survivors who had had images and videos of themselves uploaded to the Pornhub website without their consent. Some were minors. Some were adults. All encountered difficulties in having those images and videos taken down. The Committee also heard from the executives of MindGeek and Pornhub, who told the Committee that they have appropriate practices in place and are constantly striving to improve these measures.

Child protection organizations provided a dire outlook on the situation relating to CSAM, providing alarming statistics on the number of reports they receive each year. Experts, academics, and support organizations offered solutions to prevent CSAM and other non-consensual content from being uploaded to platforms such as Pornhub. Others talked about the challenges associated with the removal of online non-consensual content and the different levels of the Internet.

Law enforcement and federal ministers discussed their efforts to combat the proliferation of CSAM and other illegal material online. They also described the robustness of criminal legislation in Canada. These officials emphasized the many challenges in tackling crimes committed online considering the technology used and the fact that the Internet transcends national borders.

Finally, many other interested parties brought forward pleas to hold platforms such as Pornhub accountable for alleged violations of rights that are protected by laws or guaranteed by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or international conventions and protocols. Some argued for restrained access to pornography due to its alleged harmful effects. Witnesses working in the sex industry told the Committee that more legislation and regulations on online adult platforms would erode their health, safety and livelihood.

Accounting for these many different perspectives, the Committee offers recommendations that could alleviate some of problems this study has highlighted.