Pornhub is no longer accessible in Utah in anticipation of state laws requiring pornography websites to verify viewers are not younger than 18 years old.
The shutdown went into effect Monday, according to Axios. Those attempting to log on are reportedly greeted with a note stating that Mindgeek, which owns several sites hosting adult content, “made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Utah.”
Utah legislators passed legislation in March intended to create potential consequences for companies producing “materials harmful to minors.”
The law takes effect Wednesday and allows individuals to sue on behalf of minors exposed to graphic material.
Social media companies will also be required to verify the age of all its users in Utah when another bill, State Bill 152, goes into effect next March. The State’s Division of Consumer Affairs is tasked with chartering the process, according to Axios.
Unlike in Louisiana, where porn connoisseurs are directed to an “LA Wallet” verification page, Utah doesn’t currently offer an authentication tool to assist content providers. Louisiana implemented ID requirement at the start of 2023.
Free Speech Coalition spokesperson Michael Stabile worries Utah’s regulation could drive traffic to less-constrained sites operated outside the U.S. and are unconcerned with threats of civil litigation. Such sites could traffic in child exploitation.
Utah declared pornography a “public health hazard” in April 2016. Salt Lake City station KUTV reported more Utahans were consuming porn in 2020 than they were four years earlier. State Senator Paul Weiler said he believes legislation regulating such material helps shield minors from adult content.