Laila Mickelwait joins Patrick Bet-David to reveal shocking details about PornHub’s alleged illegal practices and their new owners, Ethical Capital Partners. From underage trafficking to hidden email exchanges and lawsuits involving high-profile companies like Mastercard and Visa, this interview dives deep into the controversies surrounding the world’s largest porn platform.
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Episode Summary
In this gripping PBD Podcast interview, Laila Mickelwait, founder of the anti-trafficking initiative “TraffickingHub,” sheds light on the ongoing controversies surrounding Pornhub and its executives. The discussion highlights harrowing allegations of child sexual abuse, trafficking, and corporate negligence, alongside questionable efforts to rebrand under new ownership.
Key Allegations Against Pornhub
Child Abuse and Exploitation
Mickelwait detailed multiple instances of child exploitation, citing cases of minors whose assault videos were uploaded and monetized on the platform. She referenced specific examples, such as a 15-year-old girl from Florida whose videos were uploaded 58 times, and a 13-year-old California girl similarly victimized. Despite reports to the platform, the content often remained accessible for extended periods.
Corporate Negligence and Complicity
Internal communications among Pornhub executives revealed discussions prioritizing corporate image over addressing illegal content. For instance, in one case, executives debated whether removing flagged content would worsen their reputation with credit card companies like Mastercard.
Moreover, under both previous and current ownerships, Pornhub failed to implement robust content moderation and age verification systems, allowing unverified individuals to upload millions of videos anonymously. Even with recent technological improvements, Mickelwait emphasized that the problems persist, as verified uploaders can still exploit loopholes.
Rebranding Without Accountability
The platform’s parent company, formerly MindGeek, was rebranded as Ethical Capital Partners (ECP) following its acquisition in March 2023. Mickelwait criticized the rebranding as superficial, noting that many of the same executives who oversaw past negligence remain in leadership roles.
TraffickingHub’s Advocacy Efforts
Mickelwait’s campaign, TraffickingHub, has garnered over 2.3 million signatures to shut down Pornhub. The initiative aims to hold Pornhub accountable for monetizing content featuring child exploitation, revenge porn, and other illegal activities. Mickelwait has also pushed for comprehensive reforms, including:
- Transparent Moderation Practices: Advocacy for mandatory human review of all uploaded content.
- Effective Age and Consent Verification: Proposals for third-party age verification systems, like Yoti, to prevent minors’ exploitation.
- Legal Accountability: Calls for criminal prosecution of executives responsible for enabling abuse.
Resistance and the Road Ahead
Despite public backlash and scrutiny, Pornhub and its parent companies continue to face challenges implementing meaningful change. Credit card companies like Visa and Mastercard have cut ties, and advertisers have distanced themselves. However, Mickelwait emphasized that only systemic legal and structural reforms can address the platform’s endemic issues.
She also criticized the platform’s reporting system, which requires users to create accounts to flag content. Victims must flag abusive videos up to 15 times before they are reviewed, leading to significant delays in content removal.
Broader Implications
Mickelwait’s revelations underscore the broader issue of corporate complicity in human trafficking and online exploitation. The conversation also highlighted the need for global standards on pornography regulation, especially concerning consent and age verification.
Conclusion
Laila Mickelwait’s tireless advocacy offers a sobering reminder of the human cost of online exploitation. Her work not only seeks justice for survivors but also aims to reform an industry that has long operated with impunity. The fight to hold Pornhub accountable continues, with the hope of creating a safer and more ethical digital environment for all.
For more on Mickelwait’s campaign and the ongoing legal battles against Pornhub, check out her book, “Takedown: Inside the Fight to Shut Down Pornhub for Child Abuse, Rape, and Sex Trafficking”.
Highlights & Standout Moments
1. “Solomon Friedman Represents PEDOS?” – Anti-Porn Activists CALLS OUT PornHub Founder
2. “PornHub Was Criminally Charged”- Laila Mickelwait Exposes The EXPLOSIVE Evidence Against PornHub
3. “1 In 8 Show Violence!” – Anti-Porn Activist WARNS PornHub’s Shocking Abuse Stats Can’t Be Ignored!
4. “Ignored 76K FLAGGED Videos” – Anti-Porn Activist SLAMS PornHub Over Disturbing Child Abuse Videos
5. “PornHub Did NOTHING!” – Laila Mickelwait DEMANDS Accountability For PornHub’s Underage Victims
6. “Rapist Uploaded 23 Videos” – PornHub Critic Laila Mickelwait Reveals The Website’s DARKEST Secrets
7. “91% Of PornHub WIPED OUT” – The Most MASSIVE Content Takedown In Internet History REVEALED!
8. “Bill Ackman Cut Them Off” – How One Call To Mastercard SHUT DOWN PornHub’s Ability To Make Money
9. “Profiting From Sex Crimes” – PornHub’s #1 Enemy EXPOSES The Dark Truth About Porn’s BIGGEST Website
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