Karim Ibourki, leader of Belgium's online regulator and a former chair of the pan-European network of audiovisual enforcers, has criticised major internet platforms, including adult content websites and Elon Musk's social media platform X (formerly Twitter), for failing to protect children from accessing explicit content online.

Ibourki expressed frustration with national audiovisual watchdogs and the European Commission, accusing them of not holding companies accountable for insufficient age verification measures.

The Conseil Superieur de l'Audiovisuel, Ibourki's authority, released a report revealing X was flooded with porn accessible to teenagers, violating European laws, including the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and the Digital Services Act. X, also criticised for its privacy and safety practices, has fallen under the obligations of the DSA since August 2023.

Why does it matter?

The critique underscores challenges faced by authorities globally in enforcing online protection for minors, with Germany, France, Spain, and the UK taking measures against adult websites to limit access by minors. The UK's Online Safety Act, effective in 2025, introduces mandatory age checks for porn websites, while the European Commission initiated a task force in January to find a common solution. The criticism against major platforms highlights the ongoing struggle to establish effective regulations and enforcement mechanisms to safeguard minors online.

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