Iowa may join others to verify age of porn site users
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Iowa could soon join 19 other states in requiring adult website visitors to verify their ages.
Why it matters: The intention is to prevent children from accessing pornographic material.
- However, some free speech advocates argue this would collect substantial amounts of highly sensitive personal information, risking user safety.
Catch up quick: The U.S. Supreme Court this month heard arguments challenging Texas' age verification law, which could determine the fate of all such state rules.
- An appeals court also ruled that Tennessee's age verification law can take effect pending the outcome of the Texas case, which is expected by early July and likely to be upheld, per the New York Times.
Driving the news: State Rep. John Wills (R-Spirit Lake) introduced a bill on Jan. 15 that would create civil liability for companies that publish obscene material online without verifying users' ages.
- Violators could be liable for damages to an individual, including court costs and attorney fees.
Flashback: Wills also introduced a bill last year requiring cell phone and tablet manufacturers to include a filter preventing devices from displaying what the state defines as obscene content to minors.
- That did not advance in last year's legislative session.
State of play: Some adult sites, like Pornhub — one of the most popular websites in the world — have decided to go dark in states with age verification rules rather than comply with the requirements.
What's next: An Iowa House subcommittee meets Wednesday at noon to potentially advance the bill.