The adult entertainment industry association is challenging an Indiana law that requires pornographic websites to verify users’ ages. This law is one of several in effect across the country. The U.S. Supreme Court previously rejected a request by the same group to block a similar law in Texas. The Indiana law allows the state’s attorney general and individuals to take legal action against website operators if material harmful to minors is accessible to users under 18. Similar laws have also been enacted in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, Utah, and Virginia. Supporters argue that these laws protect children from online pornography, while opponents raise concerns about vagueness and privacy.
The association has filed a complaint on Monday, stating that the Indiana law is both unenforceable and unconstitutional. They are seeking a preliminary injunction from a federal judge in Indianapolis to prevent the law from taking effect on July 1, and to permanently block it.
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, who is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, expressed his intention to defend the law in court in a post on X.
The post stated, “Children should not have easy access to explicit material that can harm them. It’s just common sense.”
While the Supreme Court considers the Free Speech Coalition’s full appeal, the Texas law remains in effect. A federal judge upheld the Utah law in August, and a challenge against Louisiana’s law was dismissed by a federal judge in October.