The Supreme Court is reviewing Texas’ law requiring age verification for adult websites, raising concerns about free speech and child protection.
The law, passed in 2023, requires users to show a government-issued ID to access adult content. Other states have similar rules, but this one has sparked a lot of discussion about free speech rights for adults.
Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1181, which was supposed to go into effect on September 1, 2023. During the arguments, justices expressed concerns about minors accessing porn but also about the burden this law places on adults trying to view legal content.
Derek Shaffer, a lawyer for the porn industry, pointed out flaws in the law, emphasizing the Supreme Court’s role in keeping the internet a free space for expression. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defended the law, sharing a photo on X of himself speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court.
He stated that the law aims to protect children by ensuring reasonable age verification measures are in place.
