Sale of grownup web site comes after controversy over internet hosting of kid abuse materials and different non-consensual content material.
The operator of Pornhub, the controversial however wildly widespread grownup web site, has been offered to a Canadian non-public fairness agency.
Ottawa-based Moral Capital Companions (ECP) mentioned on Thursday it had purchased MindGeek, the corporate that owns Pornhub and several other different pornographic web sites.
The phrases of the deal weren’t publicly disclosed.
ECP chair Rocco Meliambro mentioned the fairness agency was centered on figuring out properties with the potential to “create engaging returns over a compelling time horizon”.
“We imagine the grownup leisure business is being influenced by evolving public views and regulatory approaches, and the time is suitable for evolving this enterprise,” Meliambro mentioned in a press release.
Pornhub, one of the vital visited websites on the planet, has attracted controversy in recent times amid claims its homeowners have profited off little one intercourse abuse materials, rape movies, revenge porn and different non-consensual content material.
Mastercard and Visa stopped processing funds for Pornhub in 2020 after a New York Occasions op-ed described the positioning as being “infested with rape movies”, a transfer welcomed by anti-pornography advocates however criticized by grownup performers.
MindGeek, which was based in Montreal however is now based mostly in Luxembourg, has been the topic of a number of lawsuits from girls who accused the corporate of knowingly internet hosting sexual content material involving them with out their consent.
In 2021, MindGeek settled a lawsuit in California introduced by 50 girls who alleged that they had been victimized by the positioning.
MindGeek has mentioned that it has a zero-tolerance stance in the direction of non-consensual content material and is susceptible to unhealthy actors importing content material similar to different on-line platforms. The corporate has launched a number of measures to handle the proliferation of unlawful content material, together with verification for customers who add materials to the positioning.
MindGeek’s chief government and chief working officer stepped down final 12 months, whereas remaining shareholders of the corporate.
ECP founding accomplice Sarah Bain mentioned she was assured MindGeek operates “with belief and security on the forefront of every thing they do”.
“We will probably be participating with stakeholders, together with content material creators, governments and business to handle the misalignment between how MindGeek operates and what the general public perceives about this business and these platforms,” Bain mentioned.
“We are going to work with the group to make sure their dedication to belief and security is communicated clearly with all stakeholders and the general public.”
A documentary about Pornhub, Cash Shot: The Pornhub Story, debuted this week on Netflix, reviving debate concerning the web site and the regulation of sexual content material on-line.
