Motherless Goes Offline Amid Probe Over Alleged Non-Consensual Content; P*rn Website Claims Shutdown Was Voluntary

The controversial p*rn-sharing website Motherless has gone offline amid mounting international scrutiny over allegations that the platform hosted videos linked to gender-based violence and drug-facilitated s*xual assault. Dutch authorities confirmed that a preliminary investigation has been launched after pressure intensified following a CNN investigation into the platform and its associated online networks.

According to a spokesperson for the Dutch Public Prosecution Service, authorities in Zeeland-West-Brabant have opened an inquiry into the website. Reports indicate the platform went offline on Thursday evening. Motherless’ servers were reportedly hosted in the Netherlands by NFOrce Internet Services, a company based in Steenbergen. Christian Phone Network Radiant Mobile To Block P*rn and LGBT Content; Here’s How.

The development comes after CNN published a detailed investigation into a wider online ecosystem allegedly involving non-consensual image sharing and videos appearing to show unconscious women being abused. The report highlighted how Motherless and related Telegram groups were being used to circulate disturbing material. Previous investigations by journalists in Germany and Canada had also flagged thousands of videos allegedly depicting women being assaulted while unconscious. P*rn Banned on X in India? Users Claim Elon Musk-Run Platform Has Blocked Adult Content.

Dutch broadcaster NOS further amplified the controversy by reporting that several highly viewed categories on the platform included tags such as “incest” and “rape.” According to NOS and Nieuwsuur, an analysis of around 20,000 videos appearing on the site’s homepage revealed that some of the most-viewed uploads carried alarming user-generated tags.

CNN had earlier reported that the platform hosted more than 20,000 videos categorized under so-called “sleep” content. Users allegedly used tags like #passedout and #eyecheck to identify uploads. Although some of those tags reportedly disappeared after the media coverage, content appearing to depict drug-facilitated abuse was still allegedly accessible earlier this week.

Following the backlash, NFOrce Internet Services issued a statement saying it had begun an urgent compliance and abuse-handling review. The hosting provider reportedly gave Motherless 12 hours to respond regarding the allegations and moderation concerns.

However, Motherless has disputed claims that the platform was forcibly shut down by authorities. In a statement posted on its website dated May 9, 2026, the company claimed that it had “voluntarily taken the site offline” in order to review content and address system exploits that allegedly allowed certain uploaders to misuse the platform.

The platform stated that it was working to remove material that violated its rules and improve moderation systems before returning online. Motherless also claimed that all content on the site is “100% user contributed” and insisted that illegal uploads are reported to authorities and removed.

“We are working to make sure that when the site returns online, those exploits are closed and violating content is removed,” the statement read. The company further argued that monitoring uploads at its scale was difficult because of the “tens of thousands of new uploads every single day.”

Motherless maintained that its long-standing policy remains unchanged: “Anything legal stays. Anything illegal is reported to the authorities and removed.” The platform also encouraged users to report violating content using its built-in report button and directed copyright complaints through the DMCA takedown process.

The controversy has reignited debates around online moderation, platform accountability, and the responsibility of hosting providers in monitoring potentially illegal or exploitative content. The website reportedly recorded nearly 82 million visitors in March 2026, with a majority of its audience coming from the United States.

As investigations continue, it remains unclear when or if Motherless will return online. Dutch authorities have not yet announced whether criminal charges or further enforcement actions will follow.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 10, 2026 10:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).