COLUMBUS, OH – July 16, 2025
Ohioans looking to access adult content online will soon need to provide proof of age as part of a new law tucked into the state’s recently passed budget bill. The law, set to take effect September 29, requires users to submit a photo of their government-issued ID or verify their identity through a third-party service using personal data or facial recognition technology.
The measure, part of House Bill 96, aligns Ohio with a growing number of U.S. states implementing digital age-verification requirements in an effort to shield minors from explicit online content. The legislation grants the Ohio Attorney General’s Office the authority to pursue civil action against platforms that fail to comply, including the possibility of court injunctions.
Major Platforms May Pull Out of Ohio
Industry reaction has already sparked concern. Pornhub, one of the largest adult content providers, has removed access to its content in 17 other states with similar laws and is now reportedly considering doing the same in Ohio. If they follow through, Ohioans could see restrictions or full content blackouts on major explicit sites.
A National Trend
Ohio is not alone in this crackdown. Louisiana became the first state to enact an age-verification requirement in 2022, and since then, nearly half the country has followed suit. States with active or pending age ID laws include:
Texas
Utah
Arkansas
Virginia
Montana
North Carolina
Indiana
Idaho
Florida
Kentucky
Nebraska
Georgia
Alabama
Kansas
Oklahoma
Mississippi
South Carolina
South Dakota
Wyoming
North Dakota
Missouri
What the Law Covers—and What It Doesn’t
The new Ohio law specifically targets platforms that primarily generate revenue from pornographic content. It explicitly exempts news outlets, cable services, and streaming providers, and will not apply to social media sites like Reddit or X (formerly Twitter).
It also authorizes geofencing and geolocation technology to enforce access restrictions, limiting the effectiveness of VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), which are commonly used to circumvent regional content blocks.
Enforcement and Implications
Companies that fail to verify users’ ages could face lawsuits or be forced to restrict access. Critics warn of potential privacy and surveillance concerns, while supporters argue it’s a necessary measure to protect minors online.
With implementation set for late September, Ohio residents seeking access to adult content should prepare to have their IDs ready—or risk being locked out.
