Backpage Wins TRO Over Wash. Age-Verification Law

SEATTLE — A federal judge has sided with Backpage.com over a Washington state child sex-trafficking law that would require online publishers to verify the age of those shown in sex ads.

Backpage.com's parent company, Village Voice Media, had claimed the law, which was due to take effect today, "would bring the practice of hosting third-party content to a grinding halt."

U.S. District Judge Ricardo Martinez in Seattle this week granted a temporary restraining order to put a halt to the statute, ruling that he'd hear arguments over it at a preliminary injunction hearing June 15.

SB 6251 would force, by threat of five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine per violation, websites to become the government’s censors of user content, Backpage attorneys said in the suit filed Monday.

"The law expressly states that it is not a defense that the defendant did not  know that the image was of a minor," Backpage counsel said. "Instead, to avoid prosecution, the defendant must  obtain governmental or educational identification for the person depicted in the post.

"This means that every service provider — no matter where headquartered or operated — must review each and every piece of third-party content posted on or through its service to determine whether it is an 'implicit' ad for a commercial sex act in Washington, and whether it includes a depiction of a person, and, if so, must obtain and maintain a record of the person’s ID."

In the suit, Backpage said that SB 6251 contravenes Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which prohibits Internet service providers from being treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by a third party.

Backpage also said that the state was trampling on the Constitutional rights because the statute imposes strict criminal liability on speech and that the Commerce Clause prohibits states from passing and enforcing legislation that regulate activity beyond the state’s borders.

Backpage, its counsel say, has resisted demands to eliminate its adult category, maintaining that selective online censorship is not a solution to trafficking and child exploitation and that technology and responsible leadership in businesses can help address these problems.

Backpage counsel noted that other states are poised to follow Washington’s lead. A similar law will soon take effect in Tennessee, and the legislatures in New York and New Jersey are considering analogous bills.

View Backpage's complaint

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

British Documentary Spotlights XBIZ Amsterdam With Candid Conversations

British creator and host Josh Pieters traveled to XBIZ Amsterdam to film a documentary about the annual European adult industry conference.

XBIZ 2026 to Debut 'New Talent Go-See' Special Event

XBIZ 2026, North America’s premier adult industry conference, will debut a special event designed to help new talent jump-start their careers: the New Talent Go-See.

Penthouse Announces Digital Archive Launch

Penthouse Magazine has announced that it will launch a comprehensive digital archive in 2026.

Dreamcam Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Dreamcam has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches by Country for August, September

AEBN has released the list of popular searches from its straight and gay theaters by country in August and September.

AV in Focus: A Guide to Unlocking Compliance With Clarity

The age verification era isn’t coming — it’s here. Laws are already on the books in numerous U.S. states, as well as in the U.K., France and beyond.

Canadian Privacy Commissioner Endorses National AV Bill

Philippe Dufresne, privacy commissioner of Canada, has voiced support for a bill that would impose fines of up to $500,000 on adult sites that do not implement age verification for Canadian viewers.

Ricky Johnson Launches 'Ricky's Resort' Through YourPaysitePartner

Ricky's Room studio honcho Ricky Johnson has launched his latest site, RickysResort.com, through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Industry Attorney Paul Cambria Retires After 50 Years of Practicing Law

After more than a half-century in practice, during which he provided the defense in some of the adult industry's most notable legal cases, attorney Paul Cambria has retired.

2026 XMA Nominations Party Set for Nov. 19 in Hollywood

The 2026 XMA nominations reveal party will take place at Keys on the Sunset Strip on Wednesday, Nov. 19, with red-carpet arrivals starting at 8 p.m.

Show More