Pornhub proprietor MindGeek purchased by non-public fairness agency
An Ottawa-based non-public fairness agency is shopping for MindGeek, the corporate behind the in style however controversial on-line pornography web site Pornhub.
The phrases of the acquisition by Moral Capital Companions usually are not being publicly disclosed.
MindGeek, which was based in Montreal in 2004 and is now headquartered in Luxembourg, contains a big portfolio of grownup leisure properties.
It has been the topic of a number of high-profile lawsuits lately, in mild of media experiences alleging that Pornhub printed sexually exploitative movies. The location deleted hundreds of thousands of specific movies in response to the scrutiny.
One California lawsuit representing 50 girls, together with a number of Canadians, mentioned that Pornhub knowingly launched and profited from movies of them that had been printed with out their consent. The go well with was settled in October 2021.
Moral Capital Companions mentioned in a Thursday information launch that it’s going to assist MindGeek with furthering its analysis and adoption of the most effective obtainable on-line security protocols, including that the corporate “should play a number one function within the combat in opposition to unlawful content material throughout the web.”
WATCH | Mindgeek sued by victims of sexual exploitation:
Dozens of girls are suing the Montreal firm behind Pornhub, probably the most visited web sites on this planet. Not one of the allegations have been confirmed in courtroom, however the lawsuit alleges the corporate is run like an “organized crime household” and income off the exploitation of girls.
Mastercard and Visa stopped permitting their playing cards for use on the Pornhub web site in 2020 amid considerations that they had been facilitating entry to sexually exploitative materials.
The corporate was additionally the topic of a investigation by Canada’s federal privateness watchdog after testimony from girls who mentioned Pornhub dismissed their efforts to have the movies taken down.
When requested in an interview with CBC Information whether or not ECP acquired Mindgeek at a reduced value as a consequence of its authorized troubles, companion Solomon Friedman mentioned the corporate noticed “nice worth.”
He mentioned that the agency will work to maintain younger folks secure and defend intimate photographs, in addition to deal with “all who take part — content material creators and customers — with respect [and] dignity, guaranteeing full, voluntary, knowledgeable consent.”
