US Supreme Court Upholds Texas Porn Age-Verification Law

The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a Texas law requiring online pornography websites to verify users are at least 18, aiming to protect minors from explicit content. The 6-3 decision, authored by Justice Clarence Thomas, affirmed states' authority to impose age verification as a means to shield children without unduly restricting adult access to protected speech. The ruling recognized that while pornography is constitutionally protected for adults, states can restrict minors’ access, analogous to existing age restrictions on alcohol and tobacco. The dissenting justices, including Elena Kagan, raised concerns about privacy risks and a chilling effect on adults’ First Amendment rights due to potential exposure of personal data through age verification. The law prompted some adult websites, like Pornhub, to cease operations in states with such requirements, highlighting the tension between regulation and industry interests. This decision solidifies the legal framework for age-verification laws enacted by nearly half the states to combat underage exposure to online pornography.