Pornhub takes a stand against government age verification laws by blocking access in North Carolina and Montana. As part of an ongoing battle, the platform restricts entry in protest of state-level efforts to regulate online access to adult content.
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This photograph taken on May 24, 2022 in Toulouse shows screens displaying a minor child sign and the logo of the pornographic site Pornhub.
Taking a Stand
In its continued fight against government age verification laws, Pornhub has taken a bold step by restricting access in two additional states, North Carolina and Montana. This move is part of a larger protest against state-level initiatives aiming to regulate online access to adult content.
The Verge reported that users from these states visiting Pornhub and other Aylo-owned sites are now met with a video featuring performer Cherie DeVille and a message explaining that their access is blocked.
The decision to block access is a response to new laws that came into effect on January 1st in both North Carolina and Montana. These laws mandate age verification using third-party methods or, in the case of Montana, "digitized identification."
Additionally, the laws allow individuals to enforce compliance through civil action, enabling them to sue sites they believe violate the regulations. While Pornhub and similar sites are supportive of age-gating content, they vehemently oppose the specific methods required by these new laws.
As per 404Media, The platform currently uses device identifiers for age verification and finds compliance with the mandated methods challenging, making it more difficult for such websites to operate within these regulatory frameworks.
The notification presented by Aylo's platforms asserts that only a few adult sites match their comprehensive Trust and Safety measures. It argues that the most efficient method is to grant access based on device identifiers.
In contrast to the company's assurances regarding safety, Aylo recently faced a $1.8 million fine from the federal government for allegedly knowingly hosting videos involving victims of sex trafficking.
Joining Other States
North Carolina and Montana now join the ranks of states experiencing restricted access to Pornhub. Gizmodo reported that this move follows laws passed in Louisiana, Utah, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Virginia, which led Pornhub to implement access restrictions in those states.
Additionally, Texas has enacted its identification law, currently facing an appeal in the Fifth Circuit. This law mandates adult film sites to display unverified warnings about the potential health risks associated with watching porn.
Also Read: Pornhub Parent Company to Pay $1.8 Million to Settle Sex Trafficking Probe
As a multitude of age verification laws sweep across various U.S. states and even overseas, Pornhub is challenged to find effective solutions.
In the European Union, the platform recently earned the classification of a "Very Large Online Platform," requiring it to implement measures to ensure it is aware of its users' ages.
Failing to comply could potentially force a considerable global audience to resort to less regulated corners of the internet or revert to obtaining adult content on physical media like Blu-Ray.
Related Article: Pornhub Is Blocking People in Mississippi and Virginia - Here's Why
