Censorship
Utah Republican Argues for Return to Pre-1973 Definition of 'Obscenity'
A Republican member of the Utah state legislature is arguing for a return to the pre-1973 standard for determining what speech or expression is “obscene” and therefore not protected by the First Amendment.
Pennsylvania Republican Introduces 'Mandatory Porn Filter' Copycat Bill
A Republican member of the Pennsylvania state legislature has introduced a new bill mandating default “porn filters” on phones and computers sold in the state.
Woodhull Warns Against GOP's New Anti-LGBTQ Censorship Bill
The Woodhull Freedom Foundation has released a statement condemning a new bill proposed by House Republicans, which the organization says “threatens to deny schools, libraries and museums federal funding for discussing LGBTQ+ issues or providing even basic sex education to children.”
Google Researchers Continue Targeting Adult Content for Censorship
In a new paper, Google researchers continue to classify explicit sexual material in the same category as “fake, hateful, or harmful content” that requires filtering.
USA Today Blames 'Destructive' Porn for Sexy Halloween Costumes
National newspaper USA Today has published a sensationalizing report about Halloween costumes, claiming that “scandalous sexual encounter fantasies reign in pop culture and pornography.”
'Harry Potter' Author JK Rowling Platforms Pro-Censorship Lobby NCOSE
“Harry Potter” author and anti-trans activist J.K. Rowling last weekend shared a tweet from religiously motivated anti-porn lobby NCOSE and endorsed the pro-censorship organization’s annual corporate-shaming “Dirty Dozen” campaign.
Nintendo Reportedly Now Banning Depictions of Nude Female Breasts
According to game publisher Gamuzumi, Nintendo has changed its nudity policies to prohibit “uncensored boobs” on its consoles.
Utah Senator, Mormon Activist Single Out Adult Sites With 'PROTECT Act'
Utah Senator Mike Lee (R) and Mormon activist Dawn Hawkins, CEO of religiously motivated anti-porn lobby NCOSE, are promoting the PROTECT Act, a proposed federal bill that would make adult websites liable for third-party content.
Instagram Continues Refusing to Answer Questions About Pornhub Ban
A week after a group of performers and organizations, led by Pornhub, sent a letter to Mark Zuckerberg and other Meta execs, decrying blatant discrimination against sex workers, Instagram has yet to respond to follow-up questions about its permanent shutdown of the adult platform’s account.
Anti-Censorship Rally to Kick Off Sex Expo NY
Before Sex Expo opens its doors this Saturday, members of the sexual health community partaking in America’s premier sex-life event will unite to take a stand against social media censorship.
Indian Government Orders Block of 67 Adult URLs, Including Top Sites
The conservative Indian government has ordered the country’s internet service providers to block 67 adult sites for violating a new IT law passed in 2021, accusing them of “tarnishing the image of modesty of women."
French Senate's New Anti-Porn Report Calls Adult Content 'Infernal,' Recommends Censorship
A French Senate committee has issued a virulently anti-porn report comparing the adult industry with “hell” and recommending state regulation and censorship.
Southern Baptists Blame Youth Pastor Shortage on 'Proliferation of Pornography'
Southern Baptist church leaders are blaming their difficulties staffing youth pastor positions not on any lack of appeal due to anachronistic dogma, racial divisions or sex abuse scandals, but on “the proliferation of pornography.”
Michigan: GOP Gubernatorial Candidate Tudor Dixon Offers Odd Definition of 'Pornography'
Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon told reporters on Tuesday that, if elected, she would define “pornography” as “two naked people, and they are acting out a sexual act, and multiple different sexual acts.”
Wired Exposes Surveillance Apps Marketed as Religious 'Porn Filters'
Wired magazine has published an in-depth report about the secretive world of surveillance apps marketed as “porn filters” to churchgoers across America by faith-based corporations.
Woodhull Launches Petition to Block EARN IT Act
The Woodhull Freedom Foundation has launched a petition demanding that senators meet with its representatives and other groups concerned about the controversial EARN IT Act.
Conservative Commentators Candace Owens, Ben Shapiro Deliver Anti-Porn Tirade
Conservative commentators Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro delivered a scathing anti-porn tirade last week on “The Ben Shapiro Show,” which streams on right-wing news site The Daily Wire.
5th Circuit Upholds Texas' Controversial Online Platform Liability Law
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals today upheld a controversial Texas law prohibiting social media platforms from “censoring speech based on the viewpoint of its speaker,” in a decision that ignored long-standing precedent that First Amendment protections prohibit only censorship by the government, not by private companies.
Idaho Conservatives Rally Against Porn Literacy Classes After National Panic Campaign
After a national moral panic campaign by right-wing blogs and social media accounts, Idaho conservatives are pressuring public officials to suspend porn literacy classes being offered as part of the state’s sex education programs.
FSC Joins ACLU in Filing Amicus Briefs in Section 230 Cases
Free Speech Coalition has joined civil rights and sex worker rights groups in filing “friend of the court” amicus briefs defending Twitter, Craigslist and Omegle against FOSTA-enabled civil litigation alleging they profited from sex trafficking.