Pornhub Blocks Access in North Carolina and Montana over New Age Verification Laws

Adult entertainment giant Pornhub has implemented a regional block for users attempting to access its content from North Carolina and Montana in response to recent age verification laws passed in these states. Starting January 1, as reported by 404Media, both states have instituted legislation that mandates users to verify their age, potentially through third-party services, before accessing pornographic websites. These laws also create a legal path for individual lawsuits if there's a belief that the sites are not compliant.

The legislation in question requires pornographic sites to implement robust age-verification systems, such as government ID checks, stirring concerns around privacy and the efficacy of these measures in protecting minors. Pornhub has expressed that while user safety and legal compliance are pivotal, the requirement for personal ID submission each time an adult site is accessed is not optimal. Pornhub's stance is that this could jeopardize both children's safety by potentially creating a marketplace for fraudulent IDs and adults’ privacy by exposing sensitive information.

In a video message displayed to users from the blocked states, adult performer Cherie DeVille explains the platform's decision, stressing the unaddressed risks the new laws pose to both privacy and safety. The notice serves to inform affected users of why they are unable to access Pornhub's services and forms part of a larger demonstration against the age verification requirements.

This move by Pornhub is not isolated. The adult platform had previously restricted access for those based in Utah due to similar legislative changes. The trend appears to be growing as states like Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi have passed analogous laws. Pornhub’s compliance through regional blocking serves as a form of protest and highlights the growing tension between regulatory efforts and digital privacy concerns.

The effects of such laws on users’ engagement with adult sites can be significant. Pornhub's annual review revealed that on average, users spent 10 minutes and 9 seconds per visit on the site in the previous year, marking a slight increase. Notably, these dynamics were variable per state. For instance, Maryland saw the longest average visit times, while Louisiana experienced a notable drop.

The response from Pornhub, while drastic, may represent a broader industry resistance to legislative attempts to regulate online adult content in ways that companies view as overreaching or harmful to privacy. As the debate continues, the question remains whether a balance can be struck that ensures the protection of minors without encroaching on adults' privacy.