> a business generating almost $500M in revenue per year[1] is doing something illegal
But this is like going after McDonald's because some drug dealers use their parking lots to conduct business.
But this is like going after McDonald's because some drug dealers use their parking lots to conduct business.
(I don't necessarily agree with the allegation, but that is the allegation.)
I don't agree with the overall precedent that would be set, but it's hard to argue when Visa chose to stop working with certain parts of Mindgeek showing they knew CSAM existed. Visa made itself a moderator of content by deciding who it does and doesn't work with based on the kind of content they serve and that decision exposed them up to the consequences of Mindgeek's actions.
Payment processors are in a difficult position but I believe they should be treated like a utility, similar to electricity. If net neutrality was solidified in the US, Visa could potentially argue that it treats all data in a similar way and then the lack of moderation and Pornhub/Mindgeek alone would be at fault. But by by choosing what should and shouldn't be allowed on the platform of its customers, Visa becomes a responsible for when its customers break the law using its platform.