FSC: Calif. Device-Based AV Law Does Not Apply to Adult Sites

LOS ANGELES—The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) issued an announcement Wednesday clarifying that a recent age verification measure adopted and signed into law in California does not apply to adult entertainment websites. California is home to a huge swath of industry stakeholders, including studios, website owners, performers and more.  The following was posted to the FSC's blog: California’s recently passed age-verification bill, AB 1043, does not apply to adult websites. The bill requires device manufacturers and app stores to collect a user’s birthdate or age and provide an API for apps (but not websites) to determine whether a user is under 18 years old. Apps must use the age information to “manage the delivery of age-appropriate content.” While the bill had originally included language that would require the age signal API be made available to adult websites, a last-minute amendment removed that provision. The Free Speech Coalition has long advocated for a device-based solution that would allow adult websites to block minors using similar technology. The new law will take effect January 1, 2027.