Austin, Texas – Pornhub and its affiliated adult websites have taken a big step by blocking access to users in Texas due to an ongoing legal dispute with the state’s attorney general over an age-verification law. The move comes after a federal appeals court upheld a Texas law that requires adult sites to implement age-verification measures to ensure only adults 18 and older can access them, while also striking down a part of the law that mandates displaying “health warnings” about the content.
The legal battle over the Texas law has intensified, with the Texas Attorney General’s Office appealing a previous ruling that deemed the law violated the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment prohibition against free-speech restrictions. In response to the law, a message on Pornhub and its affiliated sites informed users in Texas about the decision to block access in order to comply with the legal requirements.
The message highlighted concerns about age verification, stating that the current methods employed by the Texas law are not effective in protecting users online, especially minors. Pornhub emphasized the importance of safety and privacy for its users, expressing hope for more effective laws that prioritize the safety and security of all individuals accessing adult content online.
The Texas law, signed by Governor Greg Abbott in June 2023, was set to go into effect on September 1 but was put on hold following a lawsuit filed by the Free Speech Coalition. This legislation requires online publishers with content considered harmful to minors to verify the age of visitors using government-issued IDs or transactional data.
Despite the contentious legal battle in Texas, Pornhub and its parent company, Aylo, remain committed to upholding safety measures on their platforms. However, they have criticized the Texas age-verification law as inadequate and potentially harmful, arguing that it could drive users to platforms with fewer safety protocols in place.
Aylo, owned by Canadian private-equity firm Ethical Capital Partners, acquired Pornhub’s predecessor company MindGeek and has expressed a focus on enhancing trust and safety measures to combat illegal online content. The company’s stance reflects a broader industry trend of online platforms implementing stricter regulations to protect users and uphold ethical standards.
Notably, Pornhub and its network of sites face access restrictions in other states like Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Virginia, and Utah, where similar laws have been enacted. The implications of these laws on the adult entertainment industry underscore the complexities of balancing legal requirements with ensuring a safe and secure online environment for all users.