Starting January 1, 2025, Floridians will no longer be able to access Pornhub, the popular adult content platform, due to a new state law mandating age verification for users seeking to view adult material.
The law is part of Florida’s broader legislative push to restrict minors’ access to pornography and regulate children’s online activity.
Florida’s age verification rule was passed as part of HB 3, a social media bill aimed at restricting children’s access to such platforms.
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While legal challenges are currently delaying enforcement of the social media restrictions within HB 3, the age verification component for adult websites is set to take effect on January 1st.
Pornhub has already begun displaying a warning message to Florida visitors, featuring a countdown to the access block. The message states, “YOU WILL LOSE ACCESS TO PORNHUB IN 14 DAYS… Did you know that your government wants you to give your driver’s license before you can access PORNHUB? As crazy as that sounds, it’s true.”
The new law mandates that adult websites offer both anonymous and standard age verification options.
Non-compliant sites face potential fines of up to $50,000 per violation from the state Department of Legal Affairs, in addition to attorney fees and court costs. Individual claimants can also seek damages of up to $10,000.
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Advocates of the legislation argue that it’s a necessary measure to protect minors from exposure to explicit content.
Rep. Chase Tramont, R-Port Orange, stated that websites that display harmful content frequently do not identify the ages of those who visit them.
“The problem today is that most websites and apps assume everyone to be an adult, which means that children can easily access adult content,” Tramont said last January.
The law also introduces new regulations for social media platforms, prohibiting children under 14 from creating accounts without parental consent.
Florida is not alone in adopting such measures. Similar laws have been enacted in Louisiana, Utah, and Texas, with varying degrees of compliance and resistance from adult content platforms.
Pornhub’s withdrawal from Florida could signal challenges for other websites facing similar legal demands in the state.
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