Major Adult Websites Are Shutting Down In Multiple States: Find Out Why

Most of the major adult sites are restricting access to users, at least in certain states. Other locations are now requiring age verification before visitors can access the adult website.

Over the past year, a battle over p-rnography, child protection, and free speech has heated up across the United States. Texas, along with seven other states, recently passed legislation that blocks millions from accessing P-rnhub, along with other adult websites, unless they can prove they are at least 18 years old.

P-rnhub has removed access for people in states with age-verification laws, including Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Utah, and Virginia.

Last year, Texas enacted an age verification law (HB 1181), which requires users to upload photos of their government IDs before accessing an adult website.

“Unfortunately, the Texas law for age verification is ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous. Not only will it not actually protect children, [but] it will inevitably reduce content creators’ ability to post and distribute legal adult content and directly impact their ability to share the artistic messages they want to convey with it,” Alex Kekesi, vice president of brand and community at Aylo, Po-nhub’s Canadian-based parent company, said.

On April 30, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the age-verification component of Texas' internet p-rn law to remain in effect.

P-rnhub cut off access for North Carolina users in protest of a new state law, which took effect on January 1, 2024.

“Mandating age verification without proper enforcement gives platforms the opportunity to choose whether or not to comply,” the P-rnhub statement reads. “As we’ve seen in other states, this just drives traffic to sites with far fewer safety measures in place. Very few sites are able to compare to the robust Trust and Safety measures we currently have in place."

It added, "To protect children and user privacy, any legislation must be enforced against all platforms offering adult content … Until a real solution is offered, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in North Carolina.”

The Blast attempted to access major adult websites, including P-rnHub, RedTube, or YourP-rn, but received the following message:

Dear user,

As you may know, your elected officials in Virginia are requiring us to verify your age before allowing you access to our website. While safety and compliance are at the forefront of our mission, giving your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution for protecting our users, and in fact, will put children and your privacy at risk.

In addition, mandating age verification without proper enforcement gives platforms the opportunity to choose whether or not to comply. As we’ve seen in other states, this just drives traffic to sites with far fewer safety measures in place. Very few sites are able to compare to the robust Trust and Safety measures we currently have in place. To protect children and user privacy, any legislation must be enforced against all platforms offering adult content.

The statement continues:

The safety of our users is one of our biggest concerns. We believe that the best and most effective solution for protecting children and adults alike is to identify users by their device and allow access to age-restricted materials and websites based on that identification. Until a real solution is offered, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Virginia.

Please contact your representatives before it is too late and demand device-based verification solutions that make the internet safer while also respecting your privacy.

Model or Content Partner access P-rnhub is rated with RTA label. Parents, you can easily block access to this site. Please read this page for more information.

While the message states Virginia, this occurred when The Blast attempted to visit the adult site in Maryland.

The Blast also attempted to visit adult websites in New Jersey and received an "adult website" warning.

This website contains age-restricted materials, including nudity and explicit depictions of sexual activity. By entering, you affirm that you are at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in the jurisdiction you are accessing the website from, and you consent to viewing sexually explicit content. 

Users can then click "I am 18 or older - Enter" or "I am under 18 - Exit."