Italy: Announced data protection investigation into Pornhub (MG Freesites Ltd) regarding user profiling and tracking systems

On 11 July 2023, the Data Protection Authority of Italy (GDPD) opened an investigation into Pornhub, requesting details about their user profiling and tracking systems. Following a user complaint, the GDPD has asked MG Freesites Ltd, the Cypriot company that operates Pornhub, for information about the Italian version of the site. The company is required to provide information on whether they carry out user profiling, as well as methods and objectives. In addition, MG Freesites Ltd has to provide details about the use of non-technical cookies and tracking tools. They are also asked to disclose whether the collected data is shared with third parties. Further, they have to explain their age verification process and how they allow users to exercise their personal data protection rights. MG Freesites Ltd has 20 days to respond.