Why Pornhub won’t be blocked in Ohio, despite the state’s new age verification laws going live on September 30, 2025. The popular adult site is staying accessible – no self-imposed blackout like in Texas or Louisiana. Aylo, Pornhub’s owner, confirmed to Mashable that it’s not adding ID checks or barriers, thanks to a clever exemption under federal law. Ohio’s rules require sites with “obscene or harmful to juveniles” content to verify ages via photo IDs or data like mortgages, education, or jobs. But Pornhub slips through.
The Ohio Age Verification Law: What It Means
Ohio’s law mandates age checks for explicit sites, going beyond a simple “I’m 18” click. It targets content “harmful to juveniles,” forcing verification with government IDs or personal records. Similar rules in other states prompted Pornhub to block access altogether, citing privacy risks and compliance headaches. But in Ohio, the law carves out an exception for “interactive computer services” under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (1996). This shields platforms from liability for user-uploaded content – a key protection for sites like Pornhub.
Aylo explained:
“As an ‘interactive computer service’ per Section 230, we’re not bound by Ohio’s verification mandates for Pornhub.” Courts have upheld Section 230 broadly, letting sites operate without policing every upload. Why Pornhub won’t be blocked in Ohio boils down to this: The law can’t force age gates on platforms like it can on “content providers.”
Pornhub’s Stance on Age Verification: Support, But With Caveats
Aylo has backed age checks for years but calls many laws “ineffective and haphazard.” They push device-level filters – like parental controls on phones – over site-by-site ID scans, which expose data to breaches. In the UK, Pornhub rolled out compliance for the Online Safety Act this summer, using third-party verifiers. France saw a block due to its strict rules. But Ohio’s exemption lets it stay open, prioritizing user privacy.
Experts agree: Why Pornhub won’t be blocked in Ohio aligns with free speech wins. The Electronic Frontier Foundation notes Section 230 prevents overreach, but warns broader censorship could follow if laws tighten.
What This Means for Users and the Bigger Fight
For Ohioans, access remains seamless – no logins, no scans. But it highlights the patchwork of U.S. laws: 13 states have age verification now, with more coming. Why Pornhub won’t be blocked in Ohio may not hold elsewhere, potentially fragmenting the web. Privacy advocates cheer the win, but child safety groups push for national standards.