Pornhub blocks users in Texas

Pornhub is blocked for the entire state of Texas in protest of an age verification law. If you open a browser and go to the site, you get a lengthy message laying out the reason for it. (I'm not going to link it; you'll have to take care of that part for yourself.)

Last year, Texas enacted a previously blocked age verification law (HB 1181) that requires users to upload photos of their government IDs (or use another third-party verification service) before accessing a pornographic website. The law also requires porn sites to display health warnings that claim porn impairs “human brain development,” among other unproven issues. (The Verge)
In February, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued Aylo Global Entertainment for not following the law. Paxton is asking Aylo to pay $1.6 million in fines for violating the law, if a judge sides with him. If companies don’t comply with the law, they can be fined up to $10,000 a day. (Forbes)

The three health warnings now required to be displayed on every page of a porn site are:

TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WARNING: Pornography is potentially biologically addictive, is proven to harm human brain development, desensitizes brain reward circuits, increases conditioned responses, and weakens brain function.

TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WARNING: Exposure to this content is associated with low self-esteem and body image, eating disorders, impaired brain development, and other emotional and mental illnesses.

TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WARNING: Pornography increases the demand for prostitution, child exploitation, and child pornography.

By the way, it's still illegal to own more than five sex toys in the state of Texas, and it's technically illegal to sell them, too.


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