Recent U.S. Supreme Court decision preserves new law, according to the Attorney General’s Office
PIERRE, S.D. – Some of the internet’s most trafficked pornography websites are now off-limits to South Dakota residents unless age verification information is provided, while others are blocking IP addresses here entirely.
Among a flurry of new laws that took effect Tuesday is a requirement that pornography platforms online first verify that viewers are at least 18 years old before allowing access to adult-oriented sexual content. And porn content providers are responding.
Pornhub.com, the top adult website in the world according to website analytics site SemRush.com, has completely shut off access to South Dakota residents.
“As you may know, your elected officials in South Dakota are requiring us to verify your age before allowing you access to our website,” reads a message on Pornhub.
The message urges users to contact their representative and says that requiring identification compromises privacy and puts children at risk.
“Mandating age verification without proper enforcement gives platforms the opportunity to choose whether or not to comply. As we’ve seen in other states, this just drives traffic to sites with far fewer safety measures in place,” the message says.
The website goes on to say that the best way to protect children and adults is to “identify users by their device.”
Of the top 10 adult websites according to SemRush.com, four have age verification, two say age verification is coming and link to a blog that claims it’s a “scam”, two are disabled and four have no age verification.
House Bill 1053 was narrowly adopted by the Legislature in March before being signed by Gov. Larry Rhoden. Opponents questioned the validity of the law, and warned it could be nullified due to a similar law adopted by the state of Texas being challenged in court.
Last week, however, the US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the law was constitutional.
The website goes on to say that the best way to protect children and adults is to “identify users by their device.”
Of the top 10 adult websites according to SemRush.com, four have age verification, two say age verification is coming and link to a blog that claims it’s a “scam”, two are disabled and four have no age verification.
Attorney General Marty Jackley praised the Supreme Court’s decision in a press release sent out Tuesday.
“The United States Supreme Court Decision is a major victory for families and the ability of states to protect children from the damaging effects of online pornography,” he said.
The South Dakota law defines age verification as being a state-issued driver’s license or non-driver identification card; a person’s bank account information; a debit or credit card where the owner is at least 18 years old; or any other document that “reliably and accurately indicates if a user … is a minor …”
House Bill 1053 was narrowly adopted by the Legislature in March before being signed by Gov. Larry Rhoden. Opponents questioned the validity of the law, and warned it could be nullified due to a similar law adopted by the state of Texas being challenged in court.
Last week, however, the US Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the law was constitutional.
Attorney General Marty Jackley praised the Supreme Court’s decision in a press release sent out Tuesday.
“The United States Supreme Court Decision is a major victory for families and the ability of states to protect children from the damaging effects of online pornography,” he said.
The South Dakota law defines age verification as being a state-issued driver’s license or non-driver identification card; a person’s bank account information; a debit or credit card where the owner is at least 18 years old; or any other document that “reliably and accurately indicates if a user … is a minor …”
