Pornhub Pulls The Plug On Utah – Age Verification Dispute Heats Up

Utah Faces Pornhub blackout as Age Verification Law Spurs Controversy

In a bold move against Utah's newly enforced age verification law, Pornhub has completely blocked access to its site in the state. The controversial legislation, Senate Bill 287, mandates that adult websites must implement a commercial age-verification system to shield minors from potentially harmful content. According to a report from Salt Lake City's FOX13, the block manifested as a 403 error initially, later replaced with a pointed message from Pornhub.

Inside the Age Verification Debate

The age-verification laws, influenced by prior legislation in Louisiana, aim to protect minors but have sparked significant pushback concerning user privacy and efficacy. Pornhub argues that requiring users to present their ID every time they wish to access content is not only impractical but poses risks to privacy. A statement on their website emphasizes the need for a universal law that applies to all platforms offering adult content and advocates for device-based verification as a safer alternative.

“Until a real solution is offered, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Utah,” reads Pornhub's message to its Utah visitors.

The video accompanying the notice features adult film star Cherie DeVille reading the statement, further highlighting the site's firm stance on this issue.

Political Reactions and Future Implications

Senator Todd Weiler, the sponsor of the bill, remains optimistic that Pornhub will eventually comply, noting that they have adhered to similar regulations in Louisiana. However, a representative from Pornhub has pointed out the technical limitations, stating that Utah's ID system currently doesn't support online use, unlike Louisiana's, making compliance challenging.

Since Louisiana's law took effect, Pornhub has seen an 80% drop in traffic, prompting concerns that users are likely turning to less secure sites. Pornhub continues to advocate for device-level verification, arguing it’s the most effective way to balance safety and privacy.