2024-03-29 06:59:35
Published29. March 2024, 07:59
New law: Pornhub blocks access in Texas in protest
A new law in Texas forces porn platform operators to check the age of their users using digital ID. In protest, Pornhub blocks access completely.
von
-
For a few days now, a Texas law has been forcing porn site operators to verify the age of their users using digital ID.
-
Pornhub completely blocks its site in protest.
-
Child protection is also a major concern for porn platforms, as the parent company says.
-
But there are better ways to enforce this. For example, using access filters on the devices themselves.
If you want to watch porn in the US state of Texas, at least on Pornhub you will only see text instead of explicit videos. In it, the operators of the world’s most popular porn site explain why access is denied. A new law forces porn sites to verify the age of their users with a digital ID.
This means that users have to enter personal data so that they can watch porn. Such hurdles are the death of every porn platform, writes the NZZ. In protest, Pornhub has been blocked in Texas since mid-March.
Child protection can also be ensured differently
The law is backed by Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is best known as an anti-abortion activist and recently made headlines for impeachment proceedings. According to Paxton’s own statements, it’s about protecting children. Critics, however, say according to the NZZ that he wants to achieve a general ban on pornographic content.
As Pornhub’s Canadian parent company, Aylo, said in an email statement, child protection is also a concern for them. But there are far better ways to enforce this. For example, with access filters that are stored on the corresponding device itself.
Last year, the organization Free Speech Coalition filed an appeal against the law, but the appeal was rejected by the Federal Court of Appeal. Since then, companies that do not adhere to the new rule will pay a $100,000 fine for each day on which they made porn available to customers. In the case of Pornhub, that was 160 days. Retroactively, 1.6 million US dollars are due.
Conservatives watch more porn
The “New Scientist” summarized the results of a national American study. It found that people in conservative US states consume more porn than those in more liberal states. Texas also falls into the first category. And Texans apparently don’t want to let their porn be taken away: According to a report from vpnMentor, a data protection medium, VPN demand in Texas rose by 234.8 percent on the day Pornhub was blocked.
Have you been following on Whatsapp for 20 minutes?
A news overview in the morning and at the end of the day, surprising stories and breaking news: Subscribe to the 20 Minutes WhatsApp channel and you will receive regular updates with our best stories directly to your cell phone.
1711701428
#Pornhub #access #blocked #Texas #due #law