Porn case in the Supreme Court this week is about protecting children, says Republican AG

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is fighting to uphold a Texas law that he believes is crucial in protecting children from harmful content in the pornography industry. The law, passed in 2023 and signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, requires porn sites to verify users’ ages through official documentation such as a driver’s license or government-issued ID. Failure to comply with this age verification results in fines for the porn sites.

However, a group of porn sites known as the Free Speech Coalition argues that the Texas law infringes on their First Amendment rights and places an unreasonable burden on Texas adults who want to access their content. The ongoing legal battle has led to Pornhub, the leading adult content website, blocking access to their site for all users in Texas after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law.

The case finally made its way to the Supreme Court, where both sides presented their arguments. While the justices seemed to agree with Paxton’s stance that states have a responsibility to limit children’s access to pornographic content, there were concerns raised about the broad scope of the Texas law and its potential impact on free speech expression.

The Supreme Court now faces the decision of whether to subject the Texas law to “rational basis” or “strict scrutiny” review, with the latter requiring Texas to meet stringent standards to justify the age verification requirement. The outcome of this ruling will not only affect the Texas law but also impact similar age verification laws in other states across the country.

In an interview following the hearing, Paxton expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would rule in favor of Texas. He emphasized the importance of protecting minors from harmful content and dismissed criticisms about the law infringing on free speech, citing the long history of protecting children in various aspects of society.

Paxton reiterated his commitment to enforcing Texas law and safeguarding children from inappropriate content, emphasizing that age verification is a necessary measure in achieving this goal. The ongoing legal battle highlights the complex intersection of free speech rights and child protection, with the Supreme Court poised to make a significant decision that will have far-reaching implications for the pornography industry and beyond.