Current:Home > MarketsLooking to watch porn in Louisiana? Expect to hand over your ID-InfoLens
Looking to watch porn in Louisiana? Expect to hand over your ID
View Date:2024-12-23 15:12:09
On websites showcasing adult-only content, verifying your age by typing your birthdate and clicking "Go" is deemed a simple process. But in Louisiana, that's no longer the case.
As of Jan. 1, 2023, people in Louisiana will need to present proof of their age, such as a government-issued ID, to visit and view pornographic websites like Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube.
The controversial law, known as Act 440, requires adult websites to screen their visitors using "reasonable age verification." The new law applies to any websites whose content is at least 33.3% pornographic material that is "harmful to minors," according to the bill signed last June. The law doesn't specify how the 33.3% would be calculated.
"Any commercial entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes material harmful to minors on the internet from a website that contains a substantial portion of such material shall be held liable if the entity fails to perform reasonable age verification methods to verify the age of individuals attempting to access the material," the bill states.
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards' office did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment on how those without a valid driver's license or other government-issued ID can access online porn in Louisiana.
Representatives at Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment on Louisiana's new law.
Concerns grow about online privacy with the new law
As with any form of online verification in which you enter sensitive data such as your driver's license information, address, phone number or Social Security number, concerns grow as to whether your information is fully protected against security breaches and hacks.
And with Louisiana's new law, experts argue that the verification process could potentially come with serious privacy risks for users.
Jason Kelley, the associate director of digital strategy at the Electronic Frontier Foundation, told NPR that it's reasonable for consumers to have concerns about their privacy when it comes to sharing private information with third parties — especially when there's no guarantee that the data won't be retained.
"There is the explicit intention in the law that verifiers and websites that are using age verification should not retain [your information]," Kelley said.
"But users don't have a lot of guarantees that it will happen and the data will be removed or deleted and [won't be] shared or used in other ways," he added.
The new law aims to hold adult websites accountable
Rep. Laurie Schlegel, the bill's sponsor, emphasized in a tweet last week before the law went into effect that age verification is "a must to protect children from the dangers of online pornography."
"Online pornography is extreme and graphic and only one click away from our children. This is not your daddy's Playboy," Schlegel tweeted, adding that the law is "a first step" in holding pornography companies accountable.
Louisiana is the first U.S. state to implement age verification to view adult content online. Other states, such as California, have passed similar laws restricting minors' access.
In Washington, D.C., Sen. Mike Lee of Utah introduced a bill last month that would similarly require age verification, but on a national level. Additionally, he introduced a bill to change the definition of what is considered "obscene" under the Communications Act of 1934.
veryGood! (8459)
Related
- Diamond Sports Group can emerge out of bankruptcy after having reorganization plan approved
- Judge weighs whether to block removal of Confederate memorial at Arlington Cemetery
- Parents and uncle convicted of murdering Pakistani teen in Italy for refusing an arranged marriage
- Judge temporarily halts removal of Confederate Monument at Arlington National Cemetery
- Man found dead in tanning bed at Indianapolis Planet Fitness; family wants stricter policies
- ACLU of Montana challenges law defining the word ‘sex’ in state code as only male or female
- Justice Sandra Day O'Connor honored as an American pioneer at funeral
- Mustafa Ahmed announces benefit concert for Gaza, Sudan with Omar Apollo, Ramy Youssef, more
- Former West Virginia jail officer pleads guilty to civil rights violation in fatal assault on inmate
- Morant’s 34 points in stirring season debut lead Grizzlies to 115-113 win over Pelicans
Ranking
- Man charged with murder in fatal shooting of 2 workers at Chicago’s Navy Pier
- Convicted sex offender escaped prison after his mom gave him disguise, Texas officials say
- Celine Dion's sister gives update on stiff-person syndrome, saying singer has no control of her muscles
- A known carcinogen is showing up in wildfire ash, and researchers are worried
- Tuskegee University closes its campus to the public, fires security chief after shooting
- Washington’s Kalen DeBoer is the AP coach of the year after leading undefeated Huskies to the CFP
- Publishers association struggled to find willing recipient of Freedom to Publish Award
- Taylor Swift's Super Sweet Pre-Game Treat for Travis Kelce Revealed
Recommendation
-
In an AP interview, the next Los Angeles DA says he’ll go after low-level nonviolent crimes
-
Kim Kardashian's SKIMS Drops 4 Midnight Kiss-Worthy New Year's Eve Collections
-
France’s government and conservative lawmakers find a compromise on immigration bill
-
Publix Spinach and Fresh Express Spinach recalled due to listeria fears
-
Deebo Samuel explains 'out of character' sideline altercation with 49ers long snapper, kicker
-
Climate talks call for a transition away from fossil fuels. Is that enough?
-
Madonna Reveals She Was in an Induced Coma From Bacterial Infection in New Health Update
-
How to help foreign-born employees improve their English skills? Ask HR