Pornhub has been accused of profiting from abuse. Why did an “ethical” investment firm buy it?

Vital factors
  • An “moral” personal fairness agency has purchased the world’s largest porn web site.
  • Moral Capital Companions this week introduced the acquisition of Pornhub guardian firm MindGeek.
  • Pornhub has been the goal of a wave of lawsuits and allegations.
This text accommodates references to youngster rape and sexual abuse.
Canadian personal fairness agency Moral Capital Companions this week introduced the acquisition of the ailing MindGeek, which operates Pornhub, the world’s largest porn web site.
Phrases of the transaction weren’t disclosed following Thursday’s announcement.
MindGeek, which is headquartered in Luxembourg however has giant places of work in Montreal, has been the goal of a number of lawsuits alleging it benefited from the proliferation of kid pornography and non-consensual intercourse movies — which it has denied.

New proprietor Moral Capital Companions “seeks funding alternatives in industries that require principled moral management,” the Ottawa-based agency’s chairman Rocco Meliambro mentioned in a press release.

“Our philosophy is rooted in figuring out properties that match our accountable funding strategy and have the potential to ship enticing returns over a compelling time horizon,” he mentioned.
“We consider that the grownup leisure trade is being impacted by evolving public opinion and regulatory approaches and that point is acceptable for this enterprise to evolve.”
Based in 2004, MindGeek operates a big portfolio of grownup leisure websites together with Pornhub, YouPorn, Redtube and Males.com.
Nevertheless, the web porn chief has confronted a rising backlash because the New York Occasions printed an article in December 2020 accusing Pornhub of placing unlawful content material on-line, together with youngster pornography and rape movies.

That prompted Canadian lawmakers to query executives over alleged abuses, whereas Mastercard and Visa suspended funds on Pornhub. The highest executives resigned in June 2022.

Solomon Friedman, a founding accomplice of Moral Capital Companions, mentioned the agency “has been in contact with the MindGeek staff and stakeholders, together with content material creators, attorneys, regulation enforcement, civil society companions and policymakers, to tell our efforts and to strengthen MindGeek’s safe platforms that transcend authorized and regulatory obligations”.
Mr. Friedman mentioned that “public and clear dialogue is the one technique to destigmatize the authorized choices of grownup performers and shoppers.”
Should you or somebody you recognize has been affected by sexual assault, name 1800RESPECT at 1800.737.732 or go to us . In an emergency, name 000.
Readers searching for help can contact Lifeline Disaster Assist on 13 11 14, the Suicide Name Again Service on 1300 659 467 and the Youngsters Helpline on 1800 55 1800 (for younger individuals aged 5 to 25). For extra data, see

Anybody searching for data or help concerning sexual abuse can contact Bravehearts at 1800.272.831 or Blue Knot at 1300.657.380.