Privacy in the digital age is not just an expectation—it’s a fundamental right. Yet, for years, platforms like Pornhub, operated by Montreal-based Aylo (formerly MindGeek), have played fast and loose with that right, allowing intimate images to be shared without proper consent. Now, Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne is taking a stand, pushing for a Federal Court order to force Aylo into compliance with Canadian privacy law. Frankly, it’s about time.
Dufresne’s investigation revealed what many have suspected for years: Pornhub and other Aylo-owned platforms have systematically failed to implement robust privacy measures, leaving countless individuals vulnerable to exploitation. The case of the woman whose ex-boyfriend uploaded intimate images without her permission is just one example of the horrifying consequences of this negligence. And let’s be clear—this isn’t just a privacy violation; it’s a form of abuse.
Despite damning findings, Aylo has been reluctant to accept responsibility. The company outright rejected the commissioner’s conclusions and refused to commit to meaningful reforms. While it has made some tweaks to its privacy practices and consent verification mechanisms, the changes still fall short of what’s necessary to ensure meaningful consent from every individual appearing in its videos.
This is not an issue of “just the internet.” The harm is real. Victims suffer from humiliation, harassment, job loss, and even threats to their safety. The idea that a major adult content platform can operate without airtight consent policies is unacceptable in 2025.
Dufresne’s move to seek a Federal Court order is a crucial step. It sends a clear message: companies profiting from adult content must take consent seriously. No more excuses, no more half-measures. Aylo and other industry players must be held to the highest ethical and legal standards, or they should not be allowed to operate in Canada.
Privacy rights cannot be optional. If Aylo won’t comply willingly, then legal enforcement is the only option. The time for looking the other way is over.
