The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments in a case challenging a Texas law that mandates age verification for accessing pornographic websites. The law, enacted in 2023, requires individuals to verify their age before accessing sexually explicit material online.
The Free Speech Coalition, representing the adult entertainment industry, argues that the law infringes on First Amendment rights by restricting adults' access to such content. The group contends that the verification process lacks safeguards to protect users' privacy.
According to the Coalition, the true intent of the law is to undermine the porn industry. They view this legislation as a threat to free speech, with spokesperson Mike Stabile stating, 'Porn is the canary in the coal mine of free speech.'
On the other hand, Texas defends the law as a measure to shield minors from exposure to explicit content. The state asserts that adults can utilize third-party age verification services to safeguard their online activities.
The case originated in the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld the state's position on age verification. The Supreme Court temporarily allowed enforcement of the law while the appeal was pending, with no dissents noted.
This case marks the second significant First Amendment challenge before the Supreme Court this month. In a separate matter, the court recently heard arguments regarding the federal government's ban on TikTok.
