Democrat Senator jokes about Pornhub as Virginia age verification law begins.

Virginia Law Requires Age Verification for Pornography Websites

A new law in Virginia, which took effect on July 1, has sparked controversy and prompted popular adult website Pornhub to block access in the state. The law, supported by both Republicans and Democrats, mandates that users of pornography websites must prove they are 18 or older by providing a digital copy of their ID.

The law aims to protect minors from accessing harmful material online. It creates a civil cause of action for commercial entities that fail to verify the age of users attempting to access explicit content. Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin has backed the measure, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Virginia’s children from dangerous material on the internet.

However, Pornhub has expressed concerns about the law, stating that it supports alternative methods of age verification. The website argues that requiring users to provide their ID every time they visit an adult platform poses privacy risks and may not be the most effective solution.

Democratic state Sen. L. Louise Lucas took to Twitter to express her frustration with the law, asking if anyone else’s Pornhub was not working. She later criticized Governor Youngkin for relying on porn websites to handle the age verification process, calling it a significant security risk for Virginians’ personal information.

Is anyone else’s Pornhub not working?

— L. Louise Lucas (@SenLouiseLucas) June 30, 2023

The Free Speech Coalition, a nonprofit trade association for the adult industry, criticized the law for being too vague and hinted at potential legal action. On the other hand, Exodus Cry, a Christian non-profit combating sex trafficking, praised the law’s enactment, aligning it with similar measures in Louisiana and Utah.

Overall, the Virginia law requiring age verification for pornography websites has ignited a debate surrounding online safety, privacy, and the protection of minors. Similar legislation has also been implemented in Mississippi.