In the ongoing clash between adult content platforms and Texas legislators, Pornhub ceased operations in the state on Friday, citing infringement of adults’ rights to access protected speech by a state law.
The dispute stems from a 2023 Texas law requiring pornography websites to implement age-verification measures and display health warnings. After the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the age-verification mandate, Pornhub disabled its service in Texas. Legal experts note this contradicts established precedent on regulating minors’ online access.
While the court upheld the age verification, it found the health warnings compelled speech unconstitutionally. In response, Pornhub blocked Texans from their site, denouncing the law’s effectiveness and potential harm to content creators’ livelihoods.
Alex Kekesi of Aylo, Pornhub’s parent company, criticized the law’s impact on revenue and promised an appeal. Pornhub argued that such measures fail to protect minors and drive users to less secure platforms.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton hailed the decision, asserting Texas’ commitment to safeguarding minors. The legal saga echoes past Supreme Court rulings on restricting minors’ access to harmful materials, raising complex questions in the digital age.
