South Dakota Republicans Admit Age Verification is Part of National Campaign Against Online 'Filth'

South Dakota Republicans Admit Age Verification is Part of National Campaign Against Online 'Filth'

PIERRE, S.D. — The South Dakota House Judiciary Committee last week voted unanimously to endorse the state’s copycat version of the age verification legislation being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, which the bill’s backers have described as part of a national campaign to fight online “filth.”

HB 1257 was introduced by Republican Rep. Bethany Soye, who cited a 2017 resolution recognizing “the public health crisis created by pornography in this state,” claiming without any scientific backing that adult content is an “epidemic that is harming the people of our state and our country as a whole.”

From 2016 until the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, an actual health crisis, anti-porn activists and politicians passed a series of proclamations in red states, claiming the existence of a supposed “porn epidemic.”

Soye cited this largely debunked notion, then noted that eight states have already passed laws along the same lines as her proposal, local news station KELO reported.

The committee session was dominated by religious conservatives, and a representative of the well-funded, pro-censorship national right-wing lobby group the American Principles Project was invited to the hearing to endorse the bill.

Republican Rep. Scott Odenbach openly acknowledged that HB 1257 is “part of a national movement pushing back on what he described as ‘this kind of filth,’” KELO reported.

Republican Rep. Rebecca Reimer expressed satisfaction that a similar measure in North Carolina had resulted in Pornhub blocking access to its site for all users regardless of age.

“It seems to be working,” Reimer stated.

Soye, whose pre-politics background is in banking regulation, recently told South Dakota’s religious conservative lobby Family Voice, also known as Family Heritage Alliance, that she considers the entire adult industry “predatory,” claiming without evidence, “This multi-billion-dollar monster is targeting our kids.”

Main Image: South Dakota State Rep. Bethany Soye.

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

Missouri AG Announces Age Verification Rule to Take Effect Nov. 30

Newly appointed Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced Friday that the state's recently approved age verification regulation for adult websites will go into effect on Nov. 30.

Aylo, Woodhull Freedom Foundation to Host 'Online Censorship' Event

Aylo and Woodhull Freedom Foundation will co-host a virtual panel addressing online censorship on Sept. 30.

Severe Sex Films Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Severe Sex Films has relaunched its official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Judge Awards Plaintiffs Over $400K in Attorneys Fees in Derek Hay Civil Case

California Superior Court Judge Gail Killefer has awarded former clients of LA Direct Models over $400,000 in attorneys fees and court costs, to be paid by agency founder Derek Hay.

ChickPass Rebrands as 'ChickPass Cinematic Universe'

ChickPass has announced that it has rebranded its network of sites as ChickPass Cinematic Universe.

Brazilian Adult Industry Association ABIPEA Launches

Brazilian Association of the Adult Entertainment Industry and Professionals (ABIPEA) has officially launched its organization.

New Adult Social Media Platform 'Havven' Opens Beta Phase

Havven, a new adult social media platform, has opened its beta phase and will officially launch Oct. 5.

Former Backpage CEO Carl Ferrer Sentenced to 3 Years Probation, $40,000 Fine

Former Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer was sentenced in federal court today to three years' probation and a $40,000 restitution fine for a conspiracy conviction related to money laundering through the defunct website.

Pineapple Support to Launch 'Wellbeing by PS' Initiative

Pineapple Support has announced its Wellbeing by PS initiative, naming new team member Amber Madden to head the project.

Playboy Wins $81 Million Judgment in Chinese Licensing Arbitration

Playboy Inc. was awarded $81 million in damages on Monday by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre, in a licensing dispute with former partner New Handong Investment (Guangdong) Co. Ltd.

Show More