Ohio AG: Nearly All Porn Sites Ignoring Age Verification, Lawsuits Possible
Only one of the top 20 pornography websites is in compliance with Ohio’s new age-verification law, said Attorney General David Yost (R) after a review of the sites.
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In a press release Wednesday, Yost said he's sending Notice of Violation letters to non-compliant companies and warned he would bring lawsuits within 45 days.
HB-96, the state's age-verification provision, enacted as part of its budget bill, went into effect on Sept. 30. It requires websites containing material that is obscene or harmful to minors to implement age-verification measures that block minors’ access to the site. Visitors must be confirmed as 18 or older through a government photo ID or other transactional data, like education or employment records.
Yost said a review conducted after Sept. 30 showed many sites simply require users to check a box stating they are at least 18, which, he noted, doesn't meet legal requirements. “It’s time for these companies to explain why they think they’re above the law."