Pornhub parent company to pay $1.8m fine over sex trafficking profits
economictimes.indiatimes.comPornhub, Aylo Holdings, has agreed to pay a hefty $1.8 million fine to sidestep criminal prosecution related to profiting from sex trafficking videos. US officials unveiled this deal last week, marking the resolution of a contentious issue involving various adult websites under Aylo Holdings' umbrella, such as RedTube, YouPorn, and Brazzers.
This agreement, aimed at avoiding legal action, required Aylo Holdings to acknowledge deriving profits from sex trafficking and commit to compensating some of the victims. Additionally, the company will undergo independent monitoring for the subsequent three years.
Prosecutors highlighted Aylo's repeated negligence in addressing instances where videos were uploaded without the performers' consent. Despite being aware of these concerns, the company continued reaping financial gains from such content, alleging a pursuit of profit while ignoring victims' pleas.
James Smith, the head of the FBI's New York field office, underscored, «Motivated by profit, Aylo Holdings knowingly enriched itself by turning a blind eye to the concerns of victims who communicated to the company that they were deceived and coerced into participating in illicit sexual activity.»
The case traces back to a comprehensive US criminal investigation and a simultaneous civil lawsuit against GirlsDoPorn (GDP), a San Diego-based adult film studio. Prosecutors detailed manipulative tactics used by GDP, coercing women into filming pornographic material under false pretenses.
Individuals associated with GDP have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking. The studio's owner, Michael Pratt, is awaiting extradition from Spain to face trial in the US.
