Age verification laws designed to block children from online porn sites are sweeping the US, Io Dodds writes. But do they actually protect children, or is there another agenda at work?

Summary

Several U.S. states have enacted laws requiring pornography sites, such as PornHub, to implement age verification to prevent minors’ access, prompting the site’s parent company, Aylo, to block access in affected states.

Proponents argue these laws protect children, while critics highlight privacy risks, inefficiencies, and potential censorship.

These measures reflect growing social conservatism, with some advocates aiming to restrict adult content broadly.

While privacy-focused age verification methods exist, regulatory clarity is lacking.

Critics warn these laws may suppress responsible platforms, favoring unregulated alternatives, and escalate broader culture wars around sexuality and LGBTQ+ rights.

  • adarza@lemmy.caEnglish
    62·
    6 days ago

    While privacy-focused age verification methods exist

    verification methods may ‘exist’, but there are exactly zero which can guarantee security and privacy.

      • spireghost@lemmy.zipEnglish
        1·
        5 days ago

        Don’t you know the government is “If you have nothing to hide you should have nothing to be worried about”-pilled?

    • dev_null@lemmy.ml
      1·
      4 days ago

      The are absolutely ways to have a 100% anonymous and private age verification. None of the parties here are interested in implementing them though.