Pornhub Goes Dark in Texas After Court Ruling

Pornhub, a leading adult content website, has ceased operations in Texas. This drastic measure comes in response to a controversial court ruling upholding a Texas law that mandates stringent age verification on pornographic websites.

Texans are now unable to access Pornhub, which has blocked users in the state over objections to the law it claims infringes on free speech rights. The law, upheld by the conservative US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, demands that visitors to pornographic websites verify their age through government-issued identification or other means, aiming to protect minors from accessing adult content.

Pornhub's decision to block out visitors from The Lone Star State is a protest against the Texas age verification requirements. The site now displays a message to Texas visitors, stating, "Unfortunately, the Texas law for age verification is ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous," which highlights the company's stance against the legislation. This sentiment is echoed across Pornhub's parent company, Aylo's, entire portfolio of adult content platforms, including Brazzers and YouPorn, which have also blocked users in Texas.

Pornhub argues that the law's approach to age verification is flawed. The adult website stated: "Not only does this impinge on the rights of adults to access protected speech, it fails strict scrutiny by employing the least effective and yet also the most restrictive means of accomplishing Texas's stated purpose of allegedly protecting minors," as reported by Mashable.

The law also requires adult websites to display several warnings, including claims that porn is addictive, weakens brain function, is associated with poor self-esteem and body image, and increases the demand for prostitution, child exploitation, and child pornography.

Despite the controversy, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been a staunch advocate for the law, stating, "Sites like Pornhub are on the run because Texas has a law that aims to prevent them from showing harmful, obscene material to children." Paxton's office has pursued legal action against Aylo, seeking civil penalties for alleged violations of the law.

In wake of Pornhub's decision, Texans have shown significant interest in circumventing the block. For Texans looking to access the site, read our guide on how to easily and securely access Pornhub in Texas.