Latest news with #AyloHoldings
WIRED
a day ago
- Business
- WIRED
US Supreme Court Upholds Texas Porn ID Law
If you try to access Pornhub, one of the world's biggest websites, from any of 17 US states, you'll be blocked. Pornhub's parent company, Aylo Holdings, has restricted access in response to a slew of laws that says Pornhub itself should be responsible for checking that every visitor is over 18. Now, the United States Supreme Court has made a decision on a key age verification law, which could have ramifications for the entire country and the wider internet as a whole. On Friday, in a 6–3 decision that could reshape the landscape of online privacy and free speech, the Supreme Court upheld in full the Texas age verification law—one of the first passed in the country—requiring many websites publishing pornographic content to check that all visitors are over 18. The law, TX HB1181, says sites that are 'more than one-third sexual material' can face fines of up to $10,000 per day if they don't put in place age verification systems, plus extra penalties of up to $250,000. It also states websites should display health warnings about the potential health risks of pornography. Writing for the majority, Justice Clarence Thomas said that because the law "simply requires proof of age to access content that is obscene to minors, it does not directly regulate adults' protected speech," adding, "adults have no First Amendment right to avoid age verification." In her dissent, Justice Elena Kagan argued that the Texas law imposes a direct and unconstitutional burden on adults' access to protected speech. 'A State may not care much about safeguarding adults' access to sexually explicit speech; a State may even prefer to curtail those materials for everyone,' she wrote, 'but the First Amendment protects those sexually explicit materials, for every adult.' The ruling marks a major victory for Texas attorney general Ken Paxton, who defended the law amid fierce opposition from digital rights groups and the adult entertainment industry. Legislators in Texas passed HB1181 in early 2023, but it was struck down in the US District Court for the Western District of Texas for potentially being unconstitutional before the law went into effect. Adult industry group the Free Speech Coalition, among others, challenged the Texas law on the grounds that it violates the First Amendment by restricting adults' access to constitutionally protected speech. In March last year, a Fifth Circuit appeals court upheld the Texas law before the Free Speech Coalition took the case to the Supreme Court in a January hearing.
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Yahoo
Canada seeks court order to ensure Pornhub operator obtains consent
OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's privacy watchdog said on Monday he was seeking a court order against the operator of and other adult entertainment websites to ensure it obtained the consent of people whose images were featured. The move by Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne marks the second time in a year he has expressed concern about Montreal-based Aylo Holdings. In February 2024, he said it broke privacy laws by allowing the sharing of intimate images without the direct knowledge or permission of everyone depicted. In a statement, Dufresne said he was seeking a Federal Court order to require Aylo to comply with Canadian privacy law. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. "To date, Aylo has not adequately addressed the significant concerns that were identified in my investigation. Privacy is a fundamental right, and individuals must be protected," he said. Aylo was not immediately available for comment. Dufresne launched a probe after a woman discovered her ex-boyfriend had uploaded an intimate video and other images of her to Aylo's websites without her consent. In February 2024, Aylo said the incident that prompted the woman to complain had occurred in 2015 and since then the firm has taken several steps to keep illegal material off the site.
Reuters
03-03-2025
- Reuters
Canada seeks court order to ensure Pornhub operator obtains consent
OTTAWA, March 3 (Reuters) - Canada's privacy watchdog said on Monday he was seeking a court order against the operator of and other adult entertainment websites to ensure it obtained the consent of people whose images were featured. The move by Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne marks the second time in a year he has expressed concern about Montreal-based Aylo Holdings. In February 2024, he said it broke privacy laws by allowing the sharing of intimate images without the direct knowledge or permission of everyone depicted. In a statement, Dufresne said he was seeking a Federal Court order to require Aylo to comply with Canadian privacy law. "To date, Aylo has not adequately addressed the significant concerns that were identified in my investigation. Privacy is a fundamental right, and individuals must be protected," he said. Aylo was not immediately available for comment. Dufresne launched a probe after a woman discovered her ex-boyfriend had uploaded an intimate video and other images of her to Aylo's websites without her consent. In February 2024, Aylo said the incident that prompted the woman to complain had occurred in 2015 and since then the firm has taken several steps to keep illegal material off the site.
