The state media authority for media in North Rhine-Westphalia was able to implement the first DNS blocks for xhamster.com.
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The North Rhine-Westphalia Media Authority is using DNS blocks against xhamster.com.
Due to violations of the German protection of minors, the North Rhine-Westphalia Media Authority has asked German Internet service providers to block the porn website xhamster.com for German users. The providers Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica, Tele Columbus and United Internet have now complied with this request. Vodafone also wants to implement the lock at a later date.
Porn site xHamster is blocked in Germany – the reason
Awkward situation for providers
Telefónica wants to initiate a legal review together with Vodafone. In addition, the providers Telefónica, Tele Columbus and United Internet conducted internal evaluations of the blocks. Only Deutsche Telekom does not want to take any further action against this restriction on users. The provider Vodafone, on the other hand, wants to clarify whether one can be involved as a middleman in the dispute between the state media agency of North Rhine-Westphalia and the operator of xhamster.com in Cyprus. Telefónica, on the other hand, would like legal certainty on the subject.
Simple DNS lock
Simple DNS blocks are used as the basis for blocking the porn website. These can be avoided simply by switching to an alternative DNS server. The extent to which children and young people can be protected in this way remains questionable. The blocking was sought because the Cyprus-based operator of xhamster.com did not respond to the claims, nor did the Cypriot authorities. A voluntary ban was therefore suggested as early as 2020. Providers were now legally pressured to implement them. However, it remains to be seen whether this approach will last.
Porn site xHamster is blocked in Germany – the reason
