PORNHUB’S RABBI CO-OWNER DEFENDS UTAH PULL-OUT
Utah’s new law, SB 287, compels websites with pornographic material to require users submit identification cards, so that the site owners can verify their age. If the online platform refuses to comply, they can be held liable if minors access their content.
After all, it’s illegal for adults to show porn to children. …
‘Businesses that sell tobacco, vaping products and alcohol online already age verify,’ the bill’s Republican sponsor, state senator Todd Weiler told DailyMail.com. ‘I don’t think that is too much to ask.’
But apparently, Big Porn disagrees and they’re now hitting back.
On Wednesday, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry filed a lawsuit against the state of Utah, claiming SB 287 infringes on 1st Amendment rights to free speech and the 14th Amendment rights to privacy.
The complaint by the Free Speech Coalition also argues that the law isn’t readily enforceable because the age-verification system can be easily circumvented.
Pornhub co-owner, Solomon Friedman, a criminal defense lawyer, private equity partner and ordained rabbi, told DailyMail.com on Thursday that while the company is an ‘enthusiastic supporter of age verification,’ it will not operate in jurisdictions with laws requiring sites to collect user data.