By: Journalist Hayden Grubbs (OU)
Sen. Jael Finley (OU) went before the Senate Friday with the “Age Verification for Adult Content Uploaders” act of 2024.
The bill intends to have sites with adult content and pornography require users to verify their age before continuing.
The wording of the bill specifically makes it so users must verify their age with I.D. if they wish to publish any content relating to pornography or other adult material. Once the website has proof the person is at least 18, they are free to go on and publish their material. Through this process, the bill intends to help combat child pornography and cases of revenge porn.
The contents of the bill cover the responsibilities of the websites that host this content after the bill is passed. The responsibilities include retaining data on user age, implementing and outsourcing the age system and ensuring no content can be uploaded without the I.D. information.
Furthermore, the bill explains the penalties that exist to punish websites and users who do not follow the bill’s rules. For the website operators found in violation of the act, a penalty of $1 million and/or prison time of up to two years exists.
Exemptions exist solely for websites that do not host this content or medical, scientific or educational sources that provide services unrelated to salacious intentions.
Enforcement under Section 7 assigns the duty of responsibility for this act to the state’s Office of the Attorney General and relevant law enforcement agencies, granting them powers to investigate claims of non-compliance, audit websites for proper age verification and prosecute violations under this act.
Section 8 relates to severability, which ensures that if any provision of the act is found invalid for any person or situation, the enduring provisions will continue to be applicable and unaffected.
Again, publishing this content for pleasure or business is still allowed in the state after I.D. verification. After heated debate from both sides of this bill, it ultimately did not pass with five votes in affirmation and 10 votes in negation.