Pornhub blocked in 23 U.S. states as age-verification laws spread
Pornhub is now blocked in 23 U.S. states after age-verification laws came into force. The restrictions began in Louisiana and have since spread across the country. Critics argue these measures may push users toward riskier websites while failing to fully protect minors.
Louisiana became the first state to enforce age-verification rules for adult sites in early 2023. The law requires visitors to platforms with over a third of explicit content to prove their age before access. Since then, 22 more states—including Texas, Florida, and Georgia—have followed suit.
The Supreme Court recently upheld Texas's age-verification law as constitutional. Yet experts warn that such policies could backfire. Instead of shielding young users, they might drive traffic to unregulated sites with fewer safeguards. In Louisiana alone, Pornhub's visits dropped by roughly 80% after the law took effect. Privacy concerns have also surfaced, as age checks often involve sharing sensitive personal data. Meanwhile, VPN services like ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and TunnelBear have seen increased use. These tools allow users to bypass geoblocks, undermining the laws' intended effect. Industry specialists suggest device-level filters could be a more effective solution. Unlike blanket age-verification rules, filters would let users control access without compromising privacy or security.
The current laws have reshaped online adult content access in nearly half the country. While Pornhub and similar platforms face restrictions, VPNs and non-compliant sites continue to provide workarounds. The long-term impact on user safety and privacy remains uncertain.
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