Florida has filed a lawsuit against some of the largest pornographic websites on the internet, claiming they failed to follow the state’s age verification law meant to protect minors.
Attorney General James Uthmeier is leading the case, targeting companies behind platforms like XVideos, XNXX, Bang Bros, Girls Gone Wild, and the advertising network TrafficFactory.com. These platforms are accused of violating HB3, Florida’s recently passed age verification law, along with the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
Florida’s law, which went into effect on January 1, requires adult websites to verify that users are over 18 before granting access. Florida joined 19 other states with similar laws. In total, 29 states now have either enacted or proposed such legislation.
Uthmeier said in a statement, “Multiple porn companies are flagrantly breaking Florida’s age verification law by exposing children to harmful, explicit content. As a father of young children, and as Attorney General, this is completely unacceptable.”
The law has faced pushback from free speech advocates. The Free Speech Coalition, along with companies like Adam & Eve and JustFor.Fans, had previously challenged the law, claiming it violates user privacy and limits access to legal adult content. Although the Supreme Court upheld similar legislation in Texas, critics argue that requiring government-issued IDs for adult websites is invasive and doesn’t effectively keep children out.
Pornhub responded to Florida’s law by blocking access entirely in the state from January 1. Its homepage now displays a message featuring activist and adult performer Cherie DeVille, warning that the ID requirement may harm privacy more than it protects minors.
Despite legal challenges, Florida’s government is standing firm. Uthmeier’s lawsuit signals the state’s intent to hold these platforms accountable and enforce its new rules.
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