Kansas Sues Adult Website Operator Under AV Law

Kansas Sues Adult Website Operator Under AV Law

TOPEKA, Kan. — Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has filed suit against SARJ LLC, alleging that the company’s adult websites have failed to implement age verification as mandated by state law.

Kansas’ AV law, SB 394, became effective on July 1, 2024. It requires sites to verify that users are 18 or over prior to granting access to content deemed harmful to minors.

The AG’s petition, filed this week with the Shawnee County District Court, states that SARJ’s websites, described as “replete with nudity and a variety of sexual content,” do not employ age-gating technology aside from banners reading “This site contains sexually explicit material. By using this website you acknowledge that you are over 18” and the option to click “I Agree” or “I’ll Leave.” Such notices do not constitute compliance with Kansas statutory requirements, the suit notes.

The websites listed in the petition are metartnetwork.com, metart.com, metartx.com, sexart.com, vivthomas.com, thelifeerotic.com, eroticbeauty.com, lovehairy.com, domai.com, goddessnudes.com, rylskyart.com, stunning18.com, and straplez.com.

The suit requests a jury trial, asks that SARJ be prevented from conducting consumer transactions in Kansas, and calls for fines of between $500 and $10,000 per violation per day, which could amount to tens of millions of dollars.

“Protecting our children against the harmful effects of pornography is a high priority for all Kansans,” Kobach said in a statement. “This law is making a difference.”

As XBIZ reported, SB 394 is Kansas’ version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists. The bill passed 40-0 in the Kansas state Senate and 92-31 in the state House. Kansas’ Democratic governor, Laura Kelly, expressed strong reservations about the bill but ultimately decided not to veto it, allowing the legislation to become law by default without her signature.

In a statement explaining her ambivalence, Kelly said, “While well-meaning in its efforts to protect children from content the legislature considers ‘harmful to minors,’ this bill is vague in its application and may end up infringing on constitutional rights, which is an issue being litigated in other jurisdictions over similar bills.”

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the constitutionality of such bills, or at least on the level of judicial scrutiny that should be applied to their provisions, when it decides Free Speech Coalition et al. v. Paxton. Oral arguments in that case took place Jan. 15.

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

Strike 3 Holdings Sues Meta for Pirating Vixen Media Group Content to Train AI

Vixen Media Group owner Strike 3 Holdings filed suit in federal court this week, accusing Facebook parent company Meta of copyright infringement and alleging that Meta has extensively pirated VMG content to train its artificial intelligence models.

Pineapple Support, Streamate to Host 'Navigating Grief and Loss' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group to help performers cope with grief and loss.

Friday is Final AV Compliance Deadline in UK

Friday, July 25 marks U.K. media regulator Ofcom’s deadline for user-to-user services such as tube, cam and fan sites to implement its requisite “highly effective age assurance” measures for preventing minors from viewing adult content.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for May, June

AEBN has released the top search terms for the months of May and June from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Two Texas Bills Restricting Sex Toy Sales Fail to Pass

Two bills aimed at restricting sales of sex toys have failed to pass the Texas state legislature during its 2025 session.

NYC Adult Stores Petition for Rehearing in Zoning Law Case

A group of adult businesses on Tuesday petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit to rehear a case involving a zoning law that could severely limit adult stores’ operations in New York City.

Ofcom Releases Transparency Reporting Guidelines

Ofcom, the U.K. media regulator, has made public its official guidance detailing how online service providers — including adult sites — will be required to publish annual transparency reports on their efforts to protect children from online harms.

New AV Rules Take Effect for Ireland-Based Sites

Ireland’s Online Safety Code came into force Monday, including a provision requiring adult sites headquartered in Ireland to implement age assurance measures beyond self-declaration.

XBIZ Amsterdam Calls on New Startups for 'Spotlight' Program

XBIZ is pleased to announce that its new “Startup Spotlight” programming will make its European premiere at XBIZ Amsterdam 2025, set to take place Sept. 2-5 at the Jakarta Hotel Amsterdam.

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

Show More