The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge regarding a Texas law that mandates pornographic websites verify the age of visitors to restrict minors’ access to online sexual content. Initially passed last summer, this law requires adult websites to verify users’ age using state-issued identification.
The Free Speech Coalition, representing the adult entertainment industry, contested the law, arguing it infringes on First Amendment rights. A federal court initially blocked the law, deeming it overly restrictive, but a conservative appeals court later upheld the age verification requirement, prompting the Coalition to appeal to the Supreme Court.
In their appeal, the Coalition highlighted concerns about privacy risks such as “disclosures, leaks, and hacks,” asserting that the law would allow government intrusion into individuals’ private lives by verifying information through government IDs. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defended the law in his brief to the Supreme Court, stating it aims to ensure adult content is accessed only by adults without prohibiting its production or sale. Texas officials have emphasized the law’s importance amid concerns over minors’ exposure to adult material, framing it as a public health issue.
Similar age verification laws have been enacted in other states like Arkansas, Indiana, and Kansas. Oral arguments in this case are scheduled for the upcoming Supreme Court term starting October 7.