In Texas, House Bill 1181 (HB 1181) requires adult websites to implement strict age verification measures to prevent minors from accessing explicit content. The law mandates that website operators verify the age of users before granting access to adult material and includes additional requirements such as displaying health warnings. This legislation aims to protect minors from inappropriate content and ensure users are aware of potential risks associated with adult content consumption.
Punishments for non-compliance
Failure to comply with Texas HB 1181 can result in severe consequences, including:
Civil penalties, including fines per violation.
Legal action that may result in the website being blocked within the state.
Potential lawsuits from the Texas Attorney General’s office.
Public listing of non-compliant websites by regulatory authorities.
Increased scrutiny and potential liability for harm caused to minors accessing the content.
Accepted methods of age verification
To comply with Texas HB 1181, websites must implement age verification methods using:
a government-issued identification; or
a commercially reasonable method that relies on public or private transactional data to verify the age of an individual.
Health warning requirements
Under Texas HB 1181, adult websites must display prominent health warnings to inform users of potential risks related to pornography consumption. These warnings must include:
A clear and conspicuous statement outlining the potential negative effects of pornography on mental health, relationships, and behavior.
References to scientific studies that highlight the dangers of pornography addiction.
Contact information for addiction support resources and organizations.
Placement of the warning message on the homepage and prior to content access.
How we are compliant
We ensure full compliance with Texas HB 1181 through the following measures:
Utilizing third-party government ID verification to confirm users' age accurately.
Implementing secure and encrypted systems to protect user privacy during verification.
Displaying the required health warnings prominently on our website, including links to support resources.
Providing a user-friendly verification process to minimize disruptions while ensuring compliance.
Regularly updating our verification systems to align with Texas legal requirements.
Cooperating with Texas authorities to maintain adherence to state laws.
For further details and official guidance, visit: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=88R&Bill=HB1181.