Cherie DeVille Condemns Utah's 'Porn Filter' Bill; Lawmaker Responds

Cherie DeVille Condemns Utah's 'Porn Filter' Bill; Lawmaker Responds

LOS ANGELES — An open letter penned by Cherie DeVille for The Daily Beast condemning Utah’s controversial “porn filter” bill was published on Saturday and quoted within hours in a subsequent article by the Salt Lake Tribune with the lawmaker responsible for the bill, Rep. Susan Pulsipher (R-South Jordan), responding to DeVille's concerns.

As XBIZ reported, the bill passed the State Senate earlier this month on a 19-6 vote (with four absences) and would mandate a default “porn filter” on any phones, computers, tablets or any other electronic devices sold in the state starting in 2022.

Members of Utah trade associations, tech company lobbies and free speech groups all advocated against the bill.

If passed, the mandatory filters — from which for-profit, faith-based software companies have been profiting for some time — would have to be activated by default in 2022 if certain additional conditions, attached to the bill as an amendment, are met.

“If you want to monitor what your kid watches on their phone, install parental controls that have existed since AOL,” DeVille wrote to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox “If your kid still manages to watch porn, here’s an idea: Take away their phone. Why does any child need a cell phone anyway? They certainly don’t need the state to parent them.”

The Salt Lake Tribute noted DeVille as claiming "the legislation will do nothing to shield Utah children and is actually an attempt to prevent the socially conservative state’s adults from viewing pornography. And she questioned why the legislation singles out sexually explicit content, when violent video games and television shows can also have a damaging effect on children."

Pulsipher refuted DeVille's claims.

“[The bill] doesn’t take the place of good parenting. It doesn’t take the place of family rules or family discussions,” she told the Tribune. “It’s just a tool to help good parents be good parents... nothing would prevent adults from deactivating the content blockers and viewing pornography if they chose."

Cox is expected to decide whether to sign or veto the bill this week.

“If you want Republicans to focus more on creating legislation around real issues, defend the free speech of the pornographers whose profession conservatives oppose,” DeVille wrote in her open letter to Cox. “Remind conservatives that free speech means free speech for everyone, especially those you oppose.”

Find DeVille's open letter here and the Salt Lake Tribune article, with Susan Pulsipher's response, here.

"I would like to thank The Daily Beast once again for letting me speak my mind," the performer said. "I also want to thank The Salt Lake Tribune for picking up on my letter. I hope this exposure will urge Gov. Cox to veto this bill and protect freedom of speech and the livelihoods of adult performers."

Follow Cherie DeVille on Twitter for the latest updates.

Image source (left): Utah State Representative Susan Pulsipher. Photo: Utah House of Representatives.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More