Technology
Utah pauses enforcement of VPN age-verification restrictions amid lawsuit
State officials agreed to delay enforcing rules targeting VPN use on adult websites while a federal court challenge proceeds.
The short version
- Utah officials agreed to temporarily suspend enforcement of SB 73 while a federal judge considers a legal challenge against the statute.
- The law establishes website liability if adult platforms facilitate or encourage the use of virtual private networks to circumvent state age-verification rules.
- Aylo, the parent company of Pornhub, filed the lawsuit arguing that compliance mechanisms pose severe privacy and identity risks.
- The presiding federal judge has not committed to a timeline for issuing a ruling on the case.
Key facts
- Utah's Department of Commerce confirmed it will not enforce the newly effective SB 73 while waiting for a federal court ruling.[Engadget]
- SB 73 makes website operators liable if they host substantial material harmful to minors and facilitate or encourage visitors to use VPNs.[Engadget]
- Utah is the first state in the nation to enact statutory restrictions addressing VPN usage in relation to adult age-verification laws.[Engadget]
- The legal challenge prompting the enforcement pause was brought by Aylo, the parent company of Pornhub.[Engadget]
- Digital rights groups such as the Electronic Frontier Foundation have argued that such legal requirements could compel websites to block all known VPN traffic or require global age verification.[Engadget]
What remains uncertain
- It is unknown when the presiding federal judge will deliver a decision regarding the legality of SB 73.[Engadget]