PornHub blocks access for everyone in Texas
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In a recent turn of events, residents of Texas looking to access adult content may find themselves out of luck as PornHub, one of the largest adult entertainment websites, has blocked access to users in the state. This decision comes after a court upheld House Bill 1181, which requires adult websites to implement age verification methods to ensure that users accessing explicit content are 18 years or older.
House Bill 1181 was passed by Texas lawmakers in 2023, mandating that adult websites use “reasonable age verification methods” such as government-issued identification to confirm the age of users accessing explicit material. The legislation was initially challenged by adult entertainment companies including PornHub, FakeTaxi.com, BangBros.com, and SpiceVids, citing First Amendment rights violations.
Despite legal challenges, an appeals court recently upheld the age verification portion of the bill by referencing a Supreme Court decision from 1968 that prohibited the sale of “obscene materials” to minors. In response to this ruling, PornHub made the decision to block access to its website for individuals with Texas IP addresses.
Upon attempting to access PornHub, Texas users are met with a message stating that the legislation infringes on the rights of adults to access protected speech and criticizes the bill for failing to effectively protect minors. The statement argues that similar laws in other states have not successfully safeguarded minors and have instead driven users towards websites with fewer safety measures.
Furthermore, the statement from PornHub asserts that the age verification law in Texas is ineffective, haphazard, and poses potential dangers. It claims that the law will not actually protect children but will hinder content creators from sharing legal adult content and conveying their artistic messages.
Following PornHub’s decision to block access for Texas users, there has been a significant increase in searches for virtual private networking (VPN) software in the state. Reports indicate a four-fold rise in VPN searches in Texas following the announcement, as individuals seek ways to circumvent the restrictions imposed by the website.
Evan Greer, director of digital rights advocacy group Fight for the Future, criticized the age verification laws as unconstitutional, ineffective, and unnecessary. He likened the situation in Texas to online censorship regimes in countries like China, Russia, and Turkey, where citizens use VPNs to bypass government restrictions on internet access.
The move by PornHub to block access for individuals in Texas highlights the ongoing debates surrounding online content regulation and age verification measures. As residents continue to seek alternative methods such as VPNs to access adult content, the implications of these laws on internet freedom and privacy remain at the forefront of discussions.
In conclusion, the enforcement of age verification laws in Texas has sparked controversy and led to significant repercussions for adult entertainment websites and users alike. The decision by PornHub to block access highlights the challenges faced by online platforms in complying with varying legal requirements while also protecting user privacy and freedom of expression.
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