The proprietors of a globally recognised adult content website hosted videos and accepted remuneration from the operators of an obsolete adult film production company, who had been found guilty of sex trafficking.
US prosecutors have stated that the proprietor of Pornhub has admitted to earning over $864,000 (£679,000) from sex trafficking through the unauthorised publication of videos featuring women on the website.
The director of the FBI’s New York office, James Smith, stated that Aylo Holdings “knowingly enriched itself by turning a blind eye” to victims who told the company they had been duped and coerced into the videos.
The former Montreal-based company, MindGeek, has reached a settlement with the US government and the victims to compensate them for individual damages in excess of $1.8 million (£1.4 million).
In accordance with a settlement reached between Aylo and prosecutors, the firm has consented to compensate victims; however, eligibility requirements and the application process remain unknown.
Aylo’s Role and Compensation for Victims
It was discovered that Aylo had hosted videos for GirlsDoPorn, a pornographic film production company whose operators were convicted of various sex trafficking offences, and had accepted payments from them.
In a statement, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace said, “We hope that this resolution provides some measure of closure to those adversely affected. It includes certain agreed-upon payments to the women whose images were published on the company’s platforms and an independent monitory.”
The “YouTube of porn” is one of the largest adult content websites in the world.
Prosecutors allege that Aylo received $864,000 (£679,000) from GirlsDoPorn’s sex trafficking operations between 2017 and 2020. Insiders either knew or should have known that the money was coming from such operations.
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Aylo’s Financial Involvement
Despite direct pleas from some women, the firm’s non-consensual recording erasure process proved inefficient. It was also marked by insufficient thoroughness.
Prosecutors assert that the organisation received in excess of $100,000 (£79,000) from GirlsDoPorn. Additionally, they received approximately $764,000 (£600,000) in ad payments that were the responsibility of the production company.
Aylo Holdings issued the following statement: “We profoundly regret” hosting GirlsDoPorn content.
GirlsDoPorn allegedly provided them with written consent forms. These forms were allegedly signed by the women, concealing the fact that they were obtained under duress and fraud.
The company stated that the government has agreed to dismiss its charge against Aylo after three years. This is provided that the company continues to comply with the Deferred Prosecution Agreement. Aylo is not pleading guilty to any offence.
On Wednesday, the EU announced measures to ensure internet safety. Pornhub and two other major pornographic websites will be required to verify the ages of their users.
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