Pornography video-sharing website PornHub has begun warning Hoosier users they’ll “lose access” as Indiana prepares to enact a recently approved age verification requirement.
The communications push comes days after PornHub — joined by other explicit content providers and a free speech group — sued the state in an attempt to block the law.
“You will lose access to PornHub in 13 days,” a pop-up read Thursday.
“Did you know that your government wants you to give your driver’s license before you can access PornHub?” it continued. “As crazy as that sounds, it’s true.”
Senate Bill 17 requires that “adult-oriented websites” hosting explicit materials — such as pornography or other “material harmful to minors” — verify a user’s identity before allowing access. That could be by scanning a driver’s license or registering with a third-party verification service.
The user notice. (Screenshot of website)
Lawmakers tussled over the legislation in committee and on the floor.
“We have children who have seen hardcore content before they have their first kiss,” bill author Mike Bohacek, R-Michiana Shores, said in January.
Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis — the bill’s most outspoken opponent — held that the legislation lacked information privacy “guardrails.”
That’s an argument PornHub is making directly to its users.
In its pop-up, PornHub said it didn’t want minors accessing its website, but that “putting everybody’s privacy at risk won’t achieve that.”
Opponents have also said the requirement could block adults legally able to use the website from doing so.
“What about those law-abiding citizens who should be able to enjoy these sites because they are adults?” Taylor asked in January.
Lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to pass the law, according to the Legislature’s bill action tracker. It goes into effect July 1 — unless a judge blocks it. PornHub’s warning uses June 27 as the date. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
PornHub and the other plaintiffs filed suit on Monday, alleging that the law is unconstitutional — violating the First Amendment — and unenforceable. They asked a federal judge in Indianapolis to issue a preliminary injunction against the law.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita defended it Tuesday as a “commonsense” way to protect children.
PornHub, meanwhile, has advocated for “device-based” age verification. It uses a device’s built-in features to verify a user’s age. The company linked to an op-ed and educational video, but didn’t appear to include a button for users to verify their ages.
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