BROADCASTS.com

Some of the internet\u2019s biggest adult websites, including Pornhub, are now blocking access to Utah users over a new age verification law that takes effect on Wednesday.\n\nPornhub and other adult sites controlled by its parent, MindGeek, began blocking visitors with Utah-based IP addresses this week. Now, instead of seeing adult content when visiting those sites, affected users are shown a message expressing opposition to SB287, the Utah law signed by Gov. Spencer Cox in March that creates liability for porn sites that make their content available to people below the age of 18.\n\n\u201cAs you may know, your elected officials in Utah are requiring us to verify your age before allowing you access to our website,\u201d the message said. \u201cWhile 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.\u201d\n\nThe statement, accompanied by a video of an adult actor reading the message on-camera, added that the age verification requirement could drive users \u201cto sites with far fewer safety measures.\u201d And it called for policymakers to \u201cidentify users by their device\u201d rather than by requiring them to upload their photo ID.\n\n\u201cUntil a real solution is offered, we have made the difficult decision to completely disable access to our website in Utah,\u201d the message said, concluding with a call for Utahns to \u201cdemand device-based verification solutions\u201d from policymakers.