Florida sues major porn sites for violating age verification laws

In the United States, Florida has initiated a lawsuit against several leading pornography platforms, including XVideos and Bang Bros, for non-compliance with the state's newly implemented age verification law. This law, which came into effect on January 1, 2025, mandates that adult websites verify users are over 18 years old prior to allowing access to explicit content. Additionally, the lawsuit claims violations of Florida's Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act. The Attorney General of Florida, James Uthmeier, emphasized the necessity of the law to protect children from being exposed to harmful adult material online. He expressed his concern as a father regarding the accessibility of such explicit content to minors. As of the time of the lawsuit, approximately 20 states have introduced age verification requirements for pornographic websites, with similar legislation either enacted or pending in 29 states. Despite the growing trend to impose such laws, there has been opposition, with some states having seen efforts to pass age verification bills fail. The Free Speech Coalition has criticized these laws, arguing that they impose significant burdens on adult access to legal pornographic sites, and they can stifle discussions surrounding sexuality under the pretext of shielding minors. The Free Speech Coalition, along with various co-plaintiffs, previously challenged Florida's age verification law in court, which underscores the ongoing battle over the regulation of online content. Following a Supreme Court decision upholding a similar age verification law in Texas, the Coalition decided to drop their Florida lawsuit in June 2025 but remains vigilant over state actions that may infringe on adult internet access. Attorney General Uthmeier characterized the actions of pornography companies as a blatant disregard for the regulations put in place to safeguard children. In essence, this litigious landscape blends concerns over child safety with issues of free speech and privacy rights. Proponents of age verification laws assert that they are crucial in preventing minors from encountering explicit content, while critics warn that these regulations equate to censorship and an invasion of privacy, significantly impacting how adults engage with legal terms of content available online. This situation highlights a significant tension between legislating for the protection of children and preserving the rights of adults in accessing information freely on the internet.