Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers | August 28, 2025 | Texas Law
In 2023, Texas passed a law that requires pornographic websites to use strict age verification measures. The goal of this legislation is, ultimately, to keep minors from seeing adult content. However, the law has also caused major controversy, leading to constitutional rights questions and sites like Pornhub blocking access for Texas users altogether.
If you live in Texas, you may be wondering what this law means for your rights and whether you could face criminal liability as a defendant. Continue reading for more information, and contact a defense attorney for a consultation if you’ve been charged with a crime.
The Texas Age Verification Law
The law says that adult websites must confirm that users are at least 18 years old before letting them see content. Instead of a simple “yes, I’m over 18” click-through, the law requires people to provide government identification or similar proof.
Lawmakers argue the law protects children. Critics say it violates the rights of adults and creates big privacy risks. Since websites would have to collect sensitive data like driver’s licenses, many worry about how that information will be stored and who can access it.
Why Pornhub Blocked Texas Users
Pornhub and other major adult platforms responded by shutting off access in Texas. They said they cannot risk liability under the law or put users at risk by storing private ID data.
By cutting off access, these companies avoid penalties but leave Texas users turning to smaller, less-regulated websites that may lack the same safety standards.
Constitutional Challenges and Legal Debate
Adult content for consenting adults is generally protected under the First Amendment. Nonetheless, Texas argued that the state also has a strong interest in protecting children online. The case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which recently upheld the law.
This ruling means the strict age verification requirements stand, at least for now. Still, critics argue that the law restricts the rights of adults and creates major privacy risks by requiring sensitive personal information. Supporters, on the other hand, say the law is necessary to shield minors from harmful material.
What Does This Mean for Texas Users?
The law targets websites, but individuals feel the effects too. Some users may feel pressured to share personal information, which could open them up to identity theft or surveillance. Others may look for workarounds, which can lead to them visiting unsafe or illegal websites.
If someone is accused of breaking Texas laws tied to adult content, the penalties can be severe and long-lasting. These kinds of cases require careful handling by an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
How a Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help if You’ve Been Arrested
If you have been charged under internet or adult content laws in Texas, a defense lawyer can help protect your rights.
An attorney may do so by:
- Challenging the constitutionality of the law as it was applied to your case
- Investigating whether your privacy rights were violated
- Reviewing how law enforcement obtained evidence
- Arguing for your charges to be reduced or dismissed
- Representing you in court if needed
Having a sex crimes lawyer who understands both criminal law and technology is essential in these circumstances, as the law is quickly evolving on this topic.
Contact a Texas Criminal Defense Attorney for Help With Your Case
Texas’s age verification law has already changed how adult websites operate and how users can access content. It has also created confusion and potential legal risks that Texans should know about.
If you are facing charges or have questions about how this law affects your rights, schedule an initial consultation with a criminal defense attorney today.
For more information, please contact the criminal defense law firm of Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers for a consultation. Give us a call at (682) 777-3336 or visit our convenient location:
We serve the surrounding areas of Tarrant County and Fort Worth, TX.
Cofer Luster Criminal Defense Lawyers
604 E 4th St Ste 101
Fort Worth, TX 76102