20 States Adopt Age Verification Laws for Online Pornography

Recent legislative efforts across the United States and the UK are focusing on stricter age verification measures for online pornography to protect children from exposure to adult content. South Dakota has enacted the nation's toughest age verification law, requiring all pornographic websites to confirm users' ages, with criminal penalties for noncompliance. Meanwhile, a report in the UK advocates for enhanced policing of online pornography, including age verification for performers and consumers, and calls for bans on extreme content. Iowa is also progressing similar legislation, facing concerns regarding enforcement against international websites. In Arizona, a new bill mandates age verification systems that cannot store personal data, aiming to strike a balance between protecting minors and respecting adult rights. These initiatives reflect a growing legislative trend to regulate online pornography more stringently.