Supreme Court Considers Texas Age Verification Law

The U.S. Supreme Court is deliberating on a Texas law that requires age verification for accessing online pornography, a measure aimed at protecting minors from harmful content. During oral arguments, justices expressed a divide in opinion, with some supporting the law's intent while others raised concerns about its potential infringement on free speech and privacy rights. The law mandates that adult websites verify users' ages through government-issued IDs or other means, which critics argue could lead to privacy violations for adults. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Clarence Thomas highlighted the evolution of internet pornography and questioned whether existing legal standards adequately address current realities. The case could set significant precedents regarding the balance between protecting children and upholding First Amendment rights, with a ruling expected by June. The decision may also impact similar laws across the 18 states that have enacted age verification requirements.