P2P Porn May Be Next Target for Democrats

WASHINGTON — The day after one group of congressmen introduced a proposal to tax adult Internet transactions, another group held a meeting to discuss the possibility of legislation against adult content on peer-to-peer networks.

While Thursday’s hearing included Alaska Republican Sen. Ted Stevens, it was headed by California Democrat Sen. Barbara Boxer, marking the third time in two weeks that a prominent Democrat has targeted the adult entertainment industry.

First, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, held a press conference to grandstand against sexual content in video games. Then, on Wednesday, Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, introduced a sin tax bill in the House that was authored by his colleague, Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark., and based on a report from a Democratic think tank.

On Thursday, the Senate panel took to task representatives of the entertainment industry, Internet service providers and P2P companies, threatening them with legislation to restrict usage if they don’t take steps to purge their sites of adult content.

“If you don’t move to protect children, it’s not going to sit well,” Boxer said.

Boxer grilled P2P sites for failing to place adequate barriers to children accidentally accessing adult content through innocent searches.

“We’re going to get specific about this, pornography over the Internet,” Stevens added. “People tell me we can’t do anything about it. I don’t believe that.”

In the past, legislation intended to curb sexually explicit material on P2P networks has met with lukewarm results. The Communications Decency Act of 1996 was overturned the following year by the Supreme Court. Another bill, The Protecting Children from Peer-to-Peer Pornography Act, never made it out of Congress.

The timing of the hearing, directly on the heals of a major announcement regarding the sin tax bill, has drawn criticism from technology analysts, especially since a study by the U.S. General Accounting Office had earlier concluded that file-sharing networks actually do not contain vast quantities of adult material.

“It appears that Democratic senators have decided that their moral issue this week is online porn,” Mike Masnick, CEO of analysis site TechDirt, said. “It just so happens that, right now, everyone feels they need to stand strong on moral issues.”

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

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult, Could Face Override

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

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

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Show More