What’s Current: Pornhub’s free service during coronavirus pandemic raises sex trafficking concerns

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  • Critics condemn Pornhub’s offer to stream its “Premium” service for free, arguing that the site is attempting to exploit the coronavirus crisis and silence complaints about videos on the platform that feature sex trafficking victims. Reuters reports: 

“The platform allows anyone with an account to post content. Content is then checked by human moderators and automated technologies.

Women’s rights experts have urged governments for tighter regulation to tackle abuse online and accused Pornhub of failing to act quickly enough to remove content when reported.”

  • Egyptian authorities are forcing Guardian journalist Ruth Michaelson out of the country for reporting on a study that claims Egypt is likely to have more coronavirus cases than officially confirmed.
  • European domestic abuse charities call for hotels to be turned into refuges, warning that coronavirus lockdowns will lead to a rise in women fleeing violence.
  • The Guardian claims couples who purchased babies via surrogate agencies are “stuck” in the US due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
Meghan McCarty

Meghan McCarty is an undergraduate student and aspiring journalist living in the United States.