You’re may be curious about age verification laws for websites, and that’s a smart thing to look into, especially with all the new regulations popping up.
It’s a hot topic, but the basic idea is pretty simple: governments want to make sure (as best they think they can) that minors are not watching adult content.
The following is a LOT! But we encourage you to read through it. And post questions or comments!
Protecting Minors and Explicit Content
The biggest push for strict age verification is usually aimed at websites with sexually explicit content (often called “adult content”).
- The Goal: Laws, especially in the US (on a state-by-state basis) and in parts of Europe, are requiring these sites to do more than just ask, “Are you over 18?” and let you click “Yes.”
- The Methods: Now, for adult content, many places mandate “reasonable” methods to truly confirm a user’s age. This can involve:
- Using a government-issued ID (like a driver’s license).
- Checking against public or private data through a third-party service.
- The Debate: This is where things get tricky. While everyone agrees kids should be protected, many people worry about the privacy and security of uploading sensitive ID to a website or third-party service. There are also concerns about these laws impacting free speech.
Protecting Kids’ Data (COPPA & GDPR)
Beyond adult content, there are major laws that focus on how websites handle data collected from children. These are less about blocking access and more about privacy.
The Main Rule: If a child is below that age (which individual EU countries can lower, but typically not below 13), the site must get parental consent.
🇺🇸 COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act):
The Focus: This is a U.S. federal law. If a website or app is directed at kids under 13, or if a general site knowingly collects personal info from someone under 13, they have to follow strict rules.
The Main Rule: The biggest requirement is that the site must get verifiable parental consent before collecting any personal information (like a full name, email, or photo) from the child.
🇪🇺 GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation):
The Focus: This applies across the European Union. When relying on a user’s consent to process their data, the standard age of digital consent is 16.
States in the USA with enacted laws
| Alabama Arizona Arkansas Florida Georgia Idaho Indiana Kansas Kentucky | Louisiana Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma | South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Wyoming |
How the laws work
Some states have introduced variations, such as Tennessee requiring users to re-verify their age every 60 minutes.
Most laws require websites with “substantial portions” of adult content to verify a user’s age before granting them access.
Operators must use commercial age verification systems. These can include checking a user’s government-issued ID or using “public or private transactional data” to confirm their age.
The specific effective dates vary by state, but many have become active throughout 2024 and into 2025.
Countries with nation-wide enacted laws
- France: Requires age verification, with systems like AI-based methods and document checks being used to ensure users are of age.
- Italy: Mandates age verification for adult content, with the law taking effect in November 2025.
- Germany: Requires adult websites to use age verification methods like ID checks, credit card verification, or third-party apps.
- United Kingdom: Has implemented laws requiring age verification, with mandatory methods including photo ID, AI-based facial recognition, or bank account/digital wallet checks.
- European Union: The Digital Services Act (DSA) requires major adult websites to verify user ages.
What system does TIM use?
We are currently using AGE CHECKER, which often will verify a visitor instantly, based on the information inputted. Sometimes Age Checker cannot verify instantly, and an ID may be required.
What can we do about this?
Stay Informed!
Here is a list of the AVS bills presently active, and proposed:
| BILL ID | STATUS | LATEST ACTION | DATE | PENALTY |
| Ohio HB 96 | Enacted | Signed by the governor | 2025-06-30 | criminal charges |
| Arizona SB 1341 | Failed | Failed to pass by the end of the legislative session | 2025-06-27 | private lawsuits |
| Oregon HB 2032 | Failed | Failed to pass by the end of the legislative session | 2025-06-27 | private lawsuits |
| Maryland HB 394 | Failed | Failed to pass by the end of the legislative session | 2025-06-27 | private lawsuits |
| Iowa HF 864 | Passed first chamber | Referred to Senate Technology committee | 2025-06-16 | private lawsuits |
| Iowa SF 207/443 | Passed first committee | Referred to Technology committee | 2025-06-16 | private lawsuits |
| Massachusetts H 1626 | Introduced | Hearing in the Joint Committee on the Judiciary | 2025-06-10 | private lawsuits |
| Texas SB 3003 | Failed | Failed to pass by the end of the legislative session | 2025-06-02 | civil fines, criminal charges |
| Illinois Adult Content Age Verification Act (SB 2082) | Failed | Failed to pass by the end of the legislative session | 2025-05-31 | civil fines |
| Illinois Online Age Verification for Material Harmful to Minors Act (HB 1103) | Failed | Failed to pass by the end of the legislative session | 2025-05-31 | private lawsuits |
| Pennsylvania HB 1513 | Introduced | Referred to Communications & Technology committee | 2025-05-29 | private lawsuits |
| New Jersey S4455 | Introduced | Introduced | 2025-05-19 | civil fines, criminal charges |
| New York S3591 / A3946 | Failed | Senate bill defeated/Assembly bill held in committee | 2025-05-19 | civil fines |
| Missouri HB 691 | Failed | Failed to pass by the end of the legislative session | 2025-05-15 | private lawsuits |
| Arizona HB 2112 | Enacted | Signed by the Governor | 2025-05-13 | civil fines, private lawsuits |
| Missouri HB 236 | Failed | Dropped from House Calendar | 2025-05-12 | private lawsuits |
| Missouri 15 CSR 60-18 | Enacted | Rule published in the Missouri Register (May 15 edition) | 2025-05-07 | civil fines |
| Michigan SB284/HB4429: Digital Age Assurance Act | Introduced | Introduced and referred to committee | 2025-05-06 | civil fines |
| North Dakota SB 2380 | Enacted | Signed by the governor | 2025-04-24 | private lawsuits |
| Colorado SB 25-201 | Failed | Postponed until next year | 2025-04-14 | |
| West Virginia SB 293 | Failed | Failed to pass by the end of the legislative session | 2025-04-12 | private lawsuits |
| West Virginia HB 2689 | Failed | Failed to pass by the end of the legislative session | 2025-04-12 | civil fines, private lawsuits |
| Nevada AB 294 | Failed | Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed. | 2025-04-12 | civil fines, private lawsuits |
| North Dakota HB 1561 | Enacted | Signed by the governor | 2025-04-11 | private lawsuits |
| Pennsylvania SB 603 | Introduced | Introduced and referred to Judiciary committee | 2025-04-09 | private lawsuits |
| Maryland HB 1212 | Failed | Failed to pass by the end of the legislative session | 2025-04-07 | |
| Florida HB 931 / SB 1438 | Failed | Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration | 2025-04-03 | |
| South Dakota SB 18 | Failed | Failed to pass by the end of the legislative session | 2025-03-31 | civil fines, criminal charges |
| Tennessee HB 222 / SB 466 | Introduced | Returned to the Clerk’s Desk | 2025-03-25 | private lawsuits |
| Wisconsin AB 105 / SB 130 | Passed first chamber | Referred to Senate committee | 2025-03-21 | private lawsuits |
| New Mexico HB 44 | Failed | Failed to pass by the end of the legislative session | 2025-03-21 | private lawsuits |
| Michigan SB 191 | Introduced | Introduced and referred to Regulatory Affairs committee | 2025-03-20 | civil fines |
| Wyoming HB 43 | Enacted | Signed by the Governor | 2025-03-13 | private lawsuits |
| Minnesota HF 1875 | Introduced | Introduced and referred to committee | 2025-03-05 | civil fines, private lawsuits |
| Minnesota SF 2105 / HF 1434 | Introduced | Introduced and referred to House and Senate committees | 2025-03-03 | civil fines, private lawsuits |
| South Dakota HB 1053 | Enacted | Signed by the Governor | 2025-02-27 | civil fines, criminal charges |
| SCREEN Act (2025) | Introduced | Introduced | 2025-02-26 | civil fines |
| Hawai’i HB 1198 | Introduced | Introduced | 2025-01-23 | civil fines, private lawsuits |
| Hawai’i HB 1212 | Introduced | Introduced | 2025-01-23 | civil fines |
| North Dakota HB 1593 | Failed | Failed to pass the House | 2025-01-17 | private lawsuits |
| South Carolina H 3405 | Introduced | Referred to Judiciary Committee | 2025-01-14 | civil fines, private lawsuits |
| New Jersey A4146 | Introduced | Introduced, Referred to Assembly Science, Innovation and Technology Committee | 2024-04-04 | civil fines, private lawsuits |
TAKE ACTION!
Band together with other residents of your territory.
Contact your legislatures
Learn about how to best protect both minors and respect privacy online.
Volunteer and donate to organizations fighting to protect you.
For more information, visit this informative site!
https://www.defendonlineprivacy.com/action
Did you read all that? Then you deserve a treat! Here’s some hot dick in hole and a cream pie for ya!
