New porn ban law to come into force across US state – viewers will be asked a question if they try to access
A NEW law aimed at banning children from accessing X-rated content is set to come into force.
Those thinking about viewing adult content will be asked a question.
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Companies such as Pornhub might be forced to bring in age verification methods
Credit: SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett
Major companies such as Pornhub will have to bring in a series of age verification measures under the new bill, as reported by the
radio
station
Or, they could cut off services entirely.
Firms are banned from storing data and companies that refuse to comply will be slapped with hefty penalties.
Adult content websites could be hit with penalties as high as $250,000.
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Websites could be slapped with fines of $10,000 per each offense,
Users can use digital identity methods to prove their age under the terms of
the bill
.
The bill was signed into law by Arizona governor Katie Hobbs on Tuesday.
And, there had been efforts by state lawmakers to ensure children are being protected on the internet.
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'We haven't been on the ball enough to protect them from the dangers of pornography,' Nick Kupper, a local lawmaker, said.
'When it comes to protecting, we have to protect children.
Huge surge in 'problematic' porn addicts as experts reveal telltale signs of X-rated addiction
'You know, children are our most vulnerable population; our most precious population.'
Hobbs signed the bill into law just days after it was passed by politicians.
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In 2024, she vetoed a bill because she believed it conflicted with another law.
Arizona joins a growing list of states that have or are about to bring in restrictions when it comes to adult content.
We haven't been on the ball enough to protect them from the dangers of pornography
Nick Kupper
state lawmaker
In January, a law came into effect across Florida that forces Americans who want to watch explicit material to prove their age.
Pornhub chiefs decided to shut off its website to Floridians in light of the law coming into force.
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Bosses didn't think providing ID wasn't the most effective way to protect users.
The X-rated platform is blocked in a slew of states such as Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Utah, and Alabama.
Laws imposing age restrictions on adult content are in force in almost 20 states.
In Georgia, a new law imposing restrictions will come into force in July.
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Users will have to upload a digital form of ID in order to be able to watch X-rated material.
And, companies that refuse to comply with the new law could be slapped with a fine of up to $10,000.
In the meantime, it's emerged that searches for VPNs have risen in the state, as per
At the federal level, Utah lawmaker Mike Lee has put forward a policy that would see pornography banned.
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In a significant stride toward safeguarding its children, the French government has enacted stringent age verification laws targeting online pornography. Aimed at curbing underage access to explicit content, the move has sparked a global conversation on the balance between child protection and digital privacy. As of June 4, 2025, all adult websites accessible within the country are required to implement robust age verification systems. These systems must ensure that users are at least 18 years old, using details such as a credit card or ID document, before granting access to their content. In a novel move, the law introduces a 'double anonymity' mechanism, involving an independent third party overseeing the age verification process. These measures combined ensure that pornographic sites do not access the user's personal data. The regulatory authority ARCOM is responsible for enforcement and has warned that non-compliant websites will face significant penalties, including fines of up to €150,000 or 2% of their global turnover, as well as the potential for indefinite blocking in France. In retaliation, Aylo — the company that owns most of the major adult websites such as Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube — has threatened to suspend access to its platforms in France citing concerns over user privacy and data security. From last Wednesday (June 5), French-based visitors to Aylo-owned adult sites have been greeted with a message denouncing the country's age verification requirements. The company has indicated that if these laws continue, it will cease operating in France. The French authorities are standing firm against these threats. Free to leave The impetus for this legislation arises from disturbing statistics indicating that approximately 2.3m minors in France access pornographic websites monthly. Exposure to such content at a young age has been linked to distorted perceptions of sexuality, an increased risk of developing unhealthy relationships, and potential desensitisation to sexual violence. The French culture minister Aurore Berge wrote on X that it would 'so much the better' if Pornhub and other Aylo sites cut off access for French users rather than 'conforming to our legal framework'. She went on to say that 'There will be less violent, degrading and humiliating content accessible to minors in France.' Clara Chappaz, France's junior minister for artificial intelligence and digital technology, wrote on X, 'If Aylo would rather leave France than apply our laws, [it is] free to do so.' The ministers seem to have broad public support. A study by the eSafety Commissioner found that a significant majority of adults in France support age verification measures to protect children online, and those objecting to it seem to be a loud minority. Similar sentiments have been echoed in other countries, with a 2017 YouGov survey revealing that 83% of British adults agreed there should be an age limit for accessing pornography online. This view was particularly strong among British parents, with 83% supporting the introduction of age verification processes for access to pornographic websites. In New Zealand, a 2023 poll conducted by Curia Market Research for Family First NZ found that 79% of respondents supported a law requiring age verification on pornographic websites. Despite widespread support, the global implementation of age verification systems raises concerns in certain quarters about user privacy and data security. Critics of this new French law argue that requiring users to submit personal identification could lead to potential data breaches and misuse of sensitive information. It would seem the law's 'double anonymity' approach, which seeks to minimise data exposure by separating the verification process from the content providers, is not reassurance enough for some. Aylo representatives say the 'double anonymity' system is an ineffective mechanism because people's data could still be at risk of being divulged through hacks or leaks. They argue countries should be targeting developers of operating systems like Microsoft's Windows, Apple's iOS or Google's Android, rather than pornography platforms. French authorities have acknowledged Aylo's concerns about potential data breaches. However, they have emphasised that the 'double anonymity' system is designed to safeguard user privacy and ensure that neither adult content websites nor age verification providers can identify users or know which specific sites are being accessed. 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Ireland is also making progress in promoting online safety for children and young people by offering educational programmes and resources, helping children, parents, and educators to be more informed. These initiatives include interactive talks in primary and secondary schools, which focus on topics such as protecting privacy, managing digital footprints, and understanding cyberbullying. Organisations like CyberSafeKids provide information sessions to raise awareness about online risks and practical advice on safeguarding children in the digital world. These and other similar initiatives have led to the implementation of voluntary codes regarding the delay of smartphone ownership in primary schools and the potential introduction of smartphone pouches in secondary schools. In addition, Ireland has introduced a new Online Safety Code, in October 2024, which marks a significant development in ensuring safer online experiences for children. Released by the media regulator Coimisiún na Meán, the code sets binding rules for video-sharing platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X. Platforms that fail to comply with the code's standards, including prohibitions on harmful content and the implementation of age verification measures, could face fines of up to €20m. The code aims to end the era of self-regulation by obligating social media companies to protect users from harmful content, including promoting self-harm, cyberbullying, and other illegal activities. These combined efforts reflect Ireland's commitment to creating a safer digital environment for its younger population. By integrating educational programmes with regulatory measures, the country is taking a comprehensive approach to online safety, ensuring that children are equipped with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world responsibly. However, sometimes education and awareness can only go so far, and collective action is required. 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