Censorship
FSC Urges SCOTUS to Strike Down 'Unconstitutional' Texas Age Verification Law
The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) urged the U.S. Supreme Court through a brief filed Monday to strike down Texas’ age verification law as unconstitutional.
Japanese Manga Industry Hit by Credit Card Companies' Anti-Porn Restrictions
Japanese manga retailers are reporting pressure from multinational credit card companies — many based in the U.S. and targeted by anti-porn religious conservatives — to censor their content if they wish to maintain their current payment processing arrangements.
Netherlands Government Continues Porn Probe Following Abuse Allegations
The Dutch government plans to continue investigating the local porn industry in the Netherlands, following a series of abuse allegations involving photographer and self-styled “model scout” Daniël van der W.
Australian Government's Social Media Access Proposal Endorses Porn-Stigmatizing Report
The Australian Labor government led by Prime Minister Albanese recently announced its intention to introduce legislation this year “to enforce a minimum age for access to social media and other relevant digital platforms,” stating the upcoming proposal would be based on a recent report that uses stigmatizing language to characterize all adult content.
Federal Judge Blocks Utah's Social Media Filter Law
A federal judge in Utah has blocked the state’s controversial new Minor Protection in Social Media Act, which was set to go into effect Oct. 1.
Mashable Probes Reactions to Project 2025 Among Performers Across Political Spectrum
Tech news site Mashable published an article Tuesday surveying opinions among adult performers across the political spectrum regarding Project 2025, the conservative initiative for a presidential transition that includes a call to criminalize the production and distribution of pornography.
Anti-Porn YouTuber Lauren Chen Linked to Russian Propaganda Probe
A U.S. Department of Justice indictment concerning an alleged Russia-funded propaganda operation has raised questions about a right-wing YouTuber who posted conspiracy content calling for the eradication of porn and the imprisonment of Pornhub execs.
Academics Criticize Australian AG's 'Harmful Pornography' Inquiry
After authorities in the state of New South Wales announced earlier this month they intended to hold an inquiry on the impacts of “harmful pornography,” an article by researchers published in prestigious Australian academic site The Conversation has questioned the blatantly negative framing of the project.
Former Backpage Owner Michael Lacey Sentenced to 60 Months in Prison, Fined $3M
A federal judge in Arizona on Wednesday sentenced former Backpage.com co-owner Michael Lacey to 60 months in prison and imposed a $3 million fine, after a highly protracted case in which the government contended that the website facilitated prostitution.
Cherie DeVille Lambasts Laila Mickelwait's Anti-Pornhub Book in New Op-Ed
2023 XBIZ Performer of the Year Cherie DeVille has penned a new opinion piece for The Daily Beast, about a new book by religiously motivated anti-Pornhub crusader Laila Mickelwait.
Federal Prosecutors Seek 20-Year Sentences for Remaining Backpage Defendants
Federal prosecutors asked on Monday that the three remaining defendants in the protracted Backpage.com case in Arizona be sentenced to 20 years in prison each.
FSC: California's Porn Age Verification Bill Defeated Over Budget Concerns
The California legislature’s age verification bill, one of numerous AV bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn activists, will not be moving forward, Free Speech Coalition reported Tuesday.
Fiji Politicians Ramp Up Efforts to Ban Online Porn
Fiji politicians have ramped up rhetoric linking adult content with sexual violence and calling for limiting access to adult sites in the island nation in order to “protect Fiji’s children,” following the announcement that the Anti-Pornography Taskforce established in February will convene in September to gather stakeholder input.
7th Circuit Allows Indiana's Age Verification Law to Be Enforced
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday allowed the Indiana age verification law for adult content to go into effect, staying a lower court’s injunction blocking enforcement.
Republican Platform, Project 2025 Co-Author Admits Pornography Ban Will Be Done 'From the Back Door'
Former Donald Trump staffer and Project 2025 co-author Russell Vought told undercover reporters last month that the Heritage Foundation-led initiative has entered its second, more secretive phase with different tactics, including banning pornography “from the back door” through age verification legislation.
Thailand's Progressives Fail in Latest Attempt to Legalize Adult Entertainment, Pleasure Product Industries
The most recent legislative attempt to legalize adult entertainment and sex toys in Thailand failed to clear its first reading in the lower chamber of Parliament on Wednesday.
Indian Court Orders Google to Censor Adult Content in Searches
A local court in India has ordered government officials and the Google subsidiary in the country to prevent the appearance of porn site suggestions in search results.
New Jersey Republican Pushes Age Verification Bill, Calling Adult Content 'Violent and Vile' and 'A Plague'
Republican Assemblyman Jay Webber held a panel in the New Jersey Legislature on Monday in support of his copycat version of the age verification bills being promoted around the country by religious conservative activists, and called adult content “increasingly violent and vile” and “a plague” in related posts and events.
Uncertainty Looms Over KOSA as Harris Endorses, House Republicans Voice Concerns
Two days after the U.S. Senate passed the controversial Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) on a bipartisan 91-3 vote, uncertainty looms over the future of the bill, as House Republicans have indicated they do not intend to bring it up for a vote.
Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts to Lead Anti-Porn Project 2025 as Controversy Mounts
Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts will assume leadership of Project 2025 — the conservative initiative for a presidential transition that includes a call to criminalize the production and distribution of pornography — after its current director, Paul Dans, announced his departure Tuesday.