Free Speech
Utah Proposes Rule to Check People's Age Online
The state of Utah on Monday released its first proposed rule to regulate how social media platforms verify the age of their users in the state.
Australia's Top Online Censor Fines X for Refusing to Answer Moderation Questions
Australia’s top censor, E-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, has slapped X.com with a fine of 610,500 Australian dollars (approximately $386,000) for violating the country’s new Online Safety Act.
Ohio Republican's 'Innocence Act' Could Criminalize Online Nudes
A Republican lawmaker in Ohio introduced this week an age verification bill called the “Innocence Act,” which observers have pointed out that, as submitted, could criminalize the posting of any nude image online without verifying age as a felony.
Alabama Anti-Porn Panic Causes Book to Be Flagged Because Author's Surname is 'Gay'
Amidst out-of-control anti-porn panic mongering in Alabama, a library system added children’s title “Read Me a Story, Stella” to a list of potentially “sexually explicit” books because the author is named Marie-Louise Gay.
Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren Signs on as KOSA Co-Sponsor
Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren (D) has signed up as co-sponsor of the controversial Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a bill to limit online free speech which has been endorsed by homophobic religious conservative groups.
Democratic NC Governor Signs Copycat Age Verification Bill Into Law
Democratic governor of North Carolina Roy Cooper ignored the arguments of free speech advocates and signed into law on Monday a bill mandating age verification on adult websites.
Conservative AGs Send Letter to Aylo About Supposed Moderation 'Loophole'
South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, along with 25 other attorneys general largely from Republican-controlled states, sent an open letter to Pornhub parent company Aylo on Friday demanding the company address a supposed “loophole” that could allow users to post CSAM.
FSC Calls on North Carolina Governor to Veto Age-Verification Bill
Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has sent a letter to North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, asking him to veto House Bill 8, to which a Republican legislator attached a copycat age-verification amendment.
Leading Free Speech Groups File Brief Blasting Texas' Age Verification and Mandatory Labeling Law
Several leading free-speech groups, led by the ACLU, urged the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit on Thursday to block the Texas age verification law that requires adult websites to post anti-porn propaganda, contending that this violates the First Amendment.
French Government Report Urges Criminalization of Adult Industry
A sensationalistic report released this week by a French government office is urging immediate state censorship and broad criminalization of the adult industry in France and worldwide.
North Carolina Group Backing Age Verification Bill Admits Law Is Actually 'Anti-Pornography'
A North Carolina religious conservative group backing just-passed age verification legislation, which a Republican state senator snuck into an unrelated bill last week, has admitted the copycat amendment is in fact an “anti-pornography provision.”
New Report Warns Against 'Rising Tide' of Conservative Censorship
A new report published last week by the Chamber of Progress, a U.S. trade group representing many of the leading technology companies, issued an urgent warning against the “rising red tide” of digital censorship promoted by conservatives.
ACLU, FSC Raise Objections to Senate's New Section 230-Busting Bill
An ACLU-led coalition of civil rights groups and groups representing LGBTQ+ individuals, sex workers, journalists and libraries issued an open letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday warning against the Strengthening Transparency and Obligations to Protect Children Suffering from Abuse and Mistreatment (STOP CSAM) Act.
Maggie MacDonald's New Video Demystifies the Adult Platform Business
Information technology researcher Maggie MacDonald released a video Friday explaining “how content creation, algorithms, media amplification and panicky policy have shaped how porn looks today.”
Conservative Crusader Reveals Plan to Use Civil Lawsuits to Ban Adult Content Online
The leader of the American Principles Project (APP), a well-funded, anti-porn conservative lobby, said Wednesday that the ultimate aim of the age verification laws currently being passed in various states is to create a private right of action, so that parents could directly sue online companies if their children are able to access adult content.
Court Blocks California's Controversial 'Age-Appropriate Design Code Act'
A federal judge on Monday issued an injunction blocking the California attorney general from enforcing the controversial California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (CAADCA), which was passed last year after lobbying from a British baroness.
UK Parliament Passes Controversial 'Online Safety Bill'
The U.K. Parliament on Tuesday passed the much-delayed Online Safety Bill, despite vocal criticisms by virtually all digital rights and free speech organizations and advocates.
Pittsburgh's Largest Newspaper Calls for State Regulation of Adult Content
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the city’s largest newspaper, published an editorial Thursday calling for state intervention to “shield kids from online porn.”
UK Government Poised to Restrict Adult Content Through Controversial 'Online Safety Bill'
The U.K.’s much delayed Online Safety Bill appears to be heading toward implementation after last-minute negotiations in the House of Lords, despite vocal criticisms by virtually all digital rights and free speech organizations and advocates.
Judge Blocks Arkansas 'Social Media Safety' Age Verification Law
The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Arkansas on Thursday granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Arkansas government from enforcing the state’s sweeping new Social Media Safety Act, which was scheduled to take effect today, until its merits are litigated.