xbiz world
xbiz premiere

Articles by Rick Louis

Texas Bill Would Require Age Verification for Online Sex Toy Sales

A new bill in the Texas state legislature would require online retailers to implement age verification of purchasers before selling “obscene devices” to anyone in that state.

Age Verification Watch: Michigan Joins the AV Club, Some Laws Just Make No Sense

This roundup provides an update on the latest news and developments on the age verification front as it impacts the adult industry.

Free Speech Groups Back SCOTUS Appeal of Georgia Strip Club Tax

Two civil liberties organizations filed an amicus brief Tuesday supporting a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear an appeal in a case involving whether a tax specifically aimed at adult entertainment establishments violates the First Amendment.

North Dakota House Committee Questions Anti-Porn 'Public Health Hazard' Claim

The North Dakota House of Representatives Education Committee on Monday amended a resolution that would have recognized pornography as a “public health hazard,” instead replacing that language with a call for further study into whether such a designation is appropriate.

Florida Bill Would Auto-Filter Porn for All Users, Not Just Minors

Florida lawmakers have introduced legislation to require manufacturers to equip tablets and smartphones with a filter that would prevent all users from accessing material deemed harmful to minors, to be automatically enabled on devices activated in that state.

Proposed Australian eSafety Codes Include AV Requirement for Adult Sites

Australia’s online safety regulator, eSafety, is reviewing the final draft of proposed safety codes that include a requirement for adult sites to implement age assurance measures for Australian users.

Ofcom Q&A: Preparing for Age Verification Under the UK's Online Safety Act

In January, the U.K.’s online safety regulator, Ofcom, published its guidance on how online services that host adult content need to verify users’ ages under Ofcom’s rules.

Alabama Senate Committee Approves Device-Based Filtering, App Store-Based AV Bills

The Alabama state Senate’s Children and Youth Health Committee on Thursday approved two bills intended to prevent minors from accessing adult content online, one aimed at device manufacturers and the other aimed at app store providers.

Sen. Mike Lee Renews Push for Federal AV Legislation

Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah on Wednesday reintroduced a federal age verification bill that has twice previously failed to make it through Congress.

South Dakota Governor Signs AV Law With Criminal Charges

South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden has signed into law a bill imposing criminal charges on sites that fail to perform age verification of users when providing access to adult content.

UK Pornography Review Recommends Banning 'Extreme' Content

The “pornography review” initiated under the conservative government of former U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is soon expected to present its recommendations, which according to a BBC report will include banning any adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic.”

New EU User Stats Could Reclassify Major Adult Sites Under DSA

Three high-traffic adult sites previously classified as “very large online platforms” under the European Union’s Digital Services Act are reporting user numbers below the threshold for that label, opening the way for possible downgrading of their obligations under that law.

South Dakota Legislators Debate AV Legal Strategies

The South Dakota state Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday heard testimony and debate over two competing age verification bills, in a hearing that focused largely on which piece of legislation could best withstand potential legal challenges.

North Dakota Legislature Backs Off on Device-Based AV

A North Dakota state senator who sponsored a device-based age verification bill that Free Speech Coalition (FSC) endorsed is now seeking to amend the bill to require site-based age verification instead.

Ofcom Closes OnlyFans Age-Gating Investigation

U.K. communications regulator Ofcom has discontinued an investigation into whether OnlyFans violated the Online Safety Act (OSA) by failing to prevent minors from viewing adult content.

New York Joins List of States Weighing AV Bills

New York is the latest state to consider legislation that would require adult sites to verify the ages of users seeking to access adult content.

New Mexico State Rep Gets Pushback on Copycat AV Bill

A New Mexico state legislative committee on Friday sent the conservative Republican sponsor of new age verification legislation back to the drawing board, citing concerns about the proposed bill’s effectiveness and practicality.

Professor Fired Over Adult Content Sues U Wisconsin

Veteran communications professor Joe Gow this week filed a civil lawsuit against the University of Wisconsin board of regents for violating his First Amendment rights by firing him for creating and appearing in adult content.

Kansas Sues Adult Website Operator Under AV Law

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has filed suit against SARJ LLC, alleging that the company’s adult websites have failed to implement age verification as mandated by state law.

Judge Pauses FSC Lawsuit Over Florida AV Law

A U.S. district court judge has paused Free Speech Coalition’s lawsuit over Florida’s age verification law, pending the Supreme Court's ruling in the FSC-led challenge to Texas’ age verification law, HB 1181.

Show More