Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox Signs Mandatory 'Porn Filter' Bill

Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox Signs Mandatory 'Porn Filter' Bill

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah governor Spencer J. Cox (R) signed yesterday the controversial bill, passed by the state legislature earlier this month, mandating a default “porn filter” on electronic devices sold in the state starting in 2022.

As XBIZ reported, the “porn filter” bill passed the State Senate on March 4 on a 19-6 vote (with four absences).

The bill had been introduced earlier this year as HB 72, sponsored by Rep. Susan Pulsipher (R-South Jordan) — a realtor with no technology experience — and was speedily passed by the House only hours after it had cleared the committee stage by the narrowest of margins (a 6-5 vote).

The bill was sponsored by staunch anti-porn crusader Sen. Wayne A. Harper.

Members of Utah trade associations, tech company lobbies and free speech groups all advocated against HB 72.

The bill, a version of which Pulsipher first had unsuccessfully tried to pass last year, only moved forward after it was amended to indicate that it “will not go into effect until five additional states have adopted similar language. It gives a 10-year period for that to occur," the Salt Lake City Fox affiliate reported in February.

An Invitation for Anti-Porn Activists

The amended version is what Gov. Cox signed into law yesterday, stating that 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 five more states pass copycat bills.

According to analysts, international manufacturers of phones and computers like Apple or Google could face civil liability if they don't comply.

Anti-porn groups are already at work introducing copycat bills in Republican-controlled states. Back in February, Pulsipher invited anti-porn advocates to support the bill at the committee stage, including an officer for NCOSE (formerly known as Morality in Media), the leading national sponsor and funder of anti-porn legislation.

The Parent State

Adult performer Cherie DeVille published an open letter to Governor Cox last week urging him not to sign the bill into law.

“If you want to monitor what your kid watches on their phone, install parental controls that have existed since AOL,” DeVille wrote. “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.”

Governor Cox said the bill sends an “important message” about preventing children from accessing explicit online content, the AP reported yesterday.

The Utah governor also said “he isn’t as worried about constitutional concerns because the proposal won’t be immediately enacted,” according to the AP report.

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

BranditScan Names Subgirl Newest Brand Ambassador

BranditScan has named content creator Subgirl its newest brand ambassador.

Arcom Reports Age Verification Enforcement Actions Against 5 Adult Sites

French media regulator Arcom released a statement Tuesday detailing recent actions to enforce age verification rules as set forth under France’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

Pineapple Support, Clips4Sale to Host Performers' Partners Support Group

Pineapple Support and Clips4Sale are hosting a free online support group for partners and family members of adult industry professionals.

FSC Mourns the Loss of Board Director Emeritus Mark Kernes

Free Speech Coalition has released a statement regarding the passing of Board Director Emeritus Mark Kernes.

Alexa Creed Launches New Paysite

Creator Alexa Creed has launched a new membership site through MyMember.site.

Choice Talent Management Launches Fan Platform 'ChoiceFilmz'

Choice Talent Management CEO Chris Crisco has launched a new fan platform called ChoiceFilmz.

Dredd to Launch Official Site

Dredd has announced his new website OfficialDreddXXX.com, launching April 20.

New Pleasure Product Review Site 'ToyChats' Launches

ToyChats.com, a pleasure product review and discussion site, has officially launched.

AEBN Reveals Jade Venus as Top Trans Star for Q1 of 2025

AEBN has named its top trans stars for the first quarter of 2025, with Jade Venus landing atop the leaderboard.

SexLikeReal Debuts 'AI Passthrough' for Livestreaming

SexLikeReal has introduced “AI Passthrough” for VR livestreaming.

Show More