Dutch parliament votes on sex advertisement verification

The Tweede Kamer votes today on legal rules compelling adult advertising websites to verify the age and identity of workers.

Driving the news: Political parties JA21 and ChristenUnie introduced the proposal to stop underage individuals and trafficking victims from appearing on legal platforms. According to a 2023 study by the Centrum Kinderhandel Mensenhandel, an anti-trafficking organisation, 80 percent of identified underage victims were marketed through such advertising platforms.

The proposed rules:

• Platforms must check official identification alongside a same-day facial photograph of both advertisers and the individuals offering services.
• Websites must provide a visible tool for users to report suspicious advertisements.
• Flagged listings must stay offline until platforms finish investigating the reports.

Context: The anti-trafficking organisation stated that voluntary agreements made between police, prosecutors, and platforms in 2018 failed to solve the issue. The Public Prosecution Service currently lacks the statutory power to penalise platforms because website operators can claim they were unaware of an advertiser's minority.

The opposition: Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel advised lawmakers to vote against the measure. He stated that the plan has not been reviewed by the Raad van State, needs checks against European Union rules, and bypasses implementation studies. Van Weel announced that he intends to deliver his own strategy on the matter by the end of the year.

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