Italy Mandates Age Verification for Adult Sites

Published Date : 11/3/2025 

Italy's communications regulator, AGCOM, has published a list of adult content platforms required to implement age verification measures by November 12, 2023. Violators face significant fines. 

Another significant step in the global push for age verification for adult content sites is taking place in Italy. The Autorità per le Garanzie nelle Comunicazioni (AGCOM), Italy’s communications regulator, has announced the publication of a list of entities currently disseminating pornographic content in the country. These entities have until November 12 to implement age assurance measures, or they will face fines of up to 250,000 euros (about 287,670 dollars).

The law, along with its amendment known as the Caivano Decree, mandates that entities distributing pornographic images and videos in Italy, regardless of their country of establishment, must verify that users are of legal age. This verification must ensure a level of security appropriate to the risk and comply with the minimization of personal data collected for this purpose.

The list published by AGCOM includes major players in the adult content industry, such as Pornhub, Redtube, YouPorn (all operated by Canadian company Aylo), XNXX, Xhamster, and several adult chat sites. In other jurisdictions, Aylo has responded to online safety laws by either blocking access to its sites or agreeing to comply, while expressing doubts about the effectiveness of such regulations.

AGCOM is responsible for establishing the technical and procedural methods for age assurance, which include age verification, age estimation, and age inference technologies. The current language from AGCOM requires the intervention of certified independent third parties to provide proof of age. This process is based on two logically separate steps: identification and authentication of the identified person for each session of use of the regulated service.

AGCOM emphasizes a double-blind mechanism, similar to the approach taken in France. This mechanism ensures that the age assurance provider does not know the purpose for which the proof of age is being used (e.g., accessing adult content), and the proof provided to the website or platform does not contain any identifying data about the user beyond a yes or no on age.

The approach is technology-neutral and is based on principles such as proportionality, personal data protection, IT security, accuracy and effectiveness, accessibility and ease of use, inclusiveness and non-discrimination, user training and information, and effective management of user complaints. An interesting provision requires that acceptable age verification systems comply with the European Commission’s guidelines for the protection of minors and its customizable “blueprint” or “white label” technology. This technology is part of the European Digital Identity (EUDI) Wallet rollout, which may require vendors to adjust their solutions to align with the EU’s vision.

The goal of Italy’s online safety legislation is to protect minors from the potential harm that online pornography can cause to their dignity and physical and mental well-being. Aylo, which has seen a decline in traffic to its flagship sites following age verification laws, argues that bans are driving users to noncompliant sites. However, the Age Verification Providers Association (AVPA) counters that these noncompliant sites should also be held accountable.

The debate over age verification often uses physical analogues to illustrate the issue. For example, showing ID to enter a strip club or the upper shelf of a magazine rack in a 1990s convenience store. The key difference is liability: it is easier to reprimand a shopkeeper or shut down a bar than to find and prosecute noncompliant porn sites hosted on foreign servers. While Aylo makes itself visible and available, the existence of noncompliant sites provides critics with a clear example that regulators must work harder to level the playing field. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS): 

Q: What is the deadline for adult content platforms to implement age verification in Italy?

A: The deadline for adult content platforms to implement age verification measures in Italy is November 12, 2023.

Q: What is the penalty for non-compliance with the age verification law in Italy?

A: Violators of the age verification law in Italy face fines of up to 250,000 euros (about 287,670 dollars).

Q: Which major adult content platforms are included in AGCOM's list?

A: The list includes platforms such as Pornhub, Redtube, YouPorn, XNXX, Xhamster, and several adult chat sites.

Q: What is the double-blind mechanism in age verification?

A: The double-blind mechanism ensures that the age assurance provider does not know the purpose for which the proof of age is being used, and the proof provided to the website or platform does not contain any identifying data about the user beyond a yes or no on age.

Q: What is the goal of Italy's online safety legislation?

A: The goal of Italy's online safety legislation is to protect minors from the potential harm that online pornography can cause to their dignity and physical and mental well-being. 

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