As 2025 dawns, millions of Americans in 20 states find themselves caught in a digital no-man's-land, locked out of adult websites unless they show a digital ID.
The culprit? A surge of state laws that require users to verify their age by uploading personal identification, is one that many lawmakers hope will soon also be extended to social media platforms.
Pornhub, once the go-to for late-night escapades, now greets users in much of the South with a digital brick wall instead of the usual risqué offerings. Call it a "red state chastity belt," courtesy of lawmakers who don’t trust you to control your browsing habits—or your data. But this is about more than adult websites.
These laws are presented as altruistic measures to "protect the children." But if you think it’s only about keeping minors off adult sites, I’ve got a bridge in Louisiana to sell you, complete with digital toll gates. Privacy advocates are sounding the alarm: this isn’t only about adult content. This is about normalizing a future where your every online move is tied to a government-issued digital ID, and lawmakers already have plans for it.
…
Become a Member and Keep Reading…
Reclaim your digital freedom. Get the latest on censorship, cancel culture, and surveillance, and learn how to fight back.
Already a supporter? Sign In.
Read more
