Is Pornhub blocked in Louisiana?
No, but you'll need to verify your age. Pornhub checks IDs in Louisiana using the state's LA Wallet digital ID app under Louisiana law (Act 440), in effect since January 1, 2023.
Louisiana was the first state to require age verification on adult websites: since January 1, 2023 (Act 440 of 2022, La. R.S. 9:2800.29), sites where more than a third of the material is harmful to minors can be sued if they do not verify users' ages, and since August 2023 the Attorney General can also seek civil penalties. Pornhub has kept serving Louisiana behind an age check, commonly through the state's LA Wallet digital ID, rather than blocking the state.
The law
| Status | Law in effect |
|---|---|
| Law | Act 440: HB 142 (Act 440) (text) |
| Citation | La. R.S. 9:2800.29 (Acts 2022, No. 440); Attorney General enforcement at La. R.S. 51:2121 (Acts 2023, No. 216) |
| Signed | June 15, 2022 |
| In effect | January 1, 2023 |
| Who it covers | Commercial entities that knowingly and intentionally publish or distribute material harmful to minors on the internet from a website where more than one-third of the total material is harmful to minors. The first US state age-verification law aimed at adult websites. |
| Accepted ID methods | digitized identification card (in practice the state's LA Wallet digital driver's license); commercial age verification system using government-issued identification; commercial age verification system using public or private transactional data |
| Data rules | The site and any third-party verifier may not retain identifying information after access is granted; a site that knowingly retains it is liable to the individual for damages, court costs and attorney fees. |
| Enforcement | Both: private civil action for damages (Act 440 of 2022), and since August 1, 2023 the Attorney General, who may investigate and sue in the 19th Judicial District Court after giving the site at least 30 days to comply (Act 216 of 2023, La. R.S. 51:2121). |
| Penalties | Attorney General: up to $5,000 per day of violation, plus up to $10,000 per violation if the court finds the site knowingly failed to verify ages, and the costs of investigation and suit. Private plaintiffs: damages, court costs and attorney fees. |
How does Pornhub check ages in Louisiana?
Pornhub has stayed online in Louisiana since the law took effect in January 2023, checking ages through the state's LA Wallet digital ID; Aylo says its Louisiana traffic fell about 80 percent. In August 2026 Aylo asked Louisiana officials to reconsider the law and Attorney General Liz Murrill said the state would not (KTAL). Louisiana was not on PCMag's August 2026 list of states where Pornhub is blocked.
Is porn banned in Louisiana?
No. Louisiana doesn't ban porn. Louisiana law (Act 440) sets age-verification rules for adult sites, and Pornhub follows them by checking IDs.
What does Act 440 require?
Commercial entities that knowingly and intentionally publish or distribute material harmful to minors on the internet from a website where more than one-third of the total material is harmful to minors. The first US state age-verification law aimed at adult websites.
Enforcement: Both: private civil action for damages (Act 440 of 2022), and since August 1, 2023 the Attorney General, who may investigate and sue in the 19th Judicial District Court after giving the site at least 30 days to comply (Act 216 of 2023, La. R.S. 51:2121).
Is it illegal to watch porn in Louisiana?
No. Louisiana law (Act 440) puts its duties on websites, not on the people who visit them. Watching legal adult content is not a crime under it.
Separate state and federal laws on obscenity and child sexual abuse material apply everywhere, whatever a state's age-verification rules.
How do I verify my age for adult sites in Louisiana?
Louisiana law (Act 440) accepts these methods: digitized identification card (in practice the state's LA Wallet digital driver's license); commercial age verification system using government-issued identification; commercial age verification system using public or private transactional data. Each site chooses which ones to offer.
Can porn sites keep my ID in Louisiana?
The site and any third-party verifier may not retain identifying information after access is granted; a site that knowingly retains it is liable to the individual for damages, court costs and attorney fees.
Is it illegal to use a VPN in Louisiana?
Louisiana law (Act 440) sets duties for websites. It does not create a penalty for people who use a VPN.
Why does Pornhub think I'm in Arkansas?
Websites estimate where you are from your IP address, not your street address. Mobile carriers and some internet providers route traffic through regional hubs that can sit across a state line, so a phone in Louisiana can appear to be in Arkansas.
When a site shows another state's notice, the cause is usually where your network's IP address is registered, not the law where you are.
Timeline
- HB 142 is signed into law as Act 440 of 2022. [3]
- Act 440 takes effect: adult websites can be sued for failing to verify users' ages. [1]
- The Free Speech Coalition and others sue Louisiana officials in federal court to block the law. [6]
- Act 216 of 2023 (HB 77, signed June 8, 2023) takes effect, letting the Attorney General seek civil penalties against sites that do not verify ages (La. R.S. 51:2121). [4]
- A federal judge dismisses the Free Speech Coalition's challenge because the officials sued had no duty to enforce the law. [7]
- The court dismisses the Free Speech Coalition case after the plaintiffs voluntarily drop it. [6]
Courts and enforcement
- Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. LeBlanc, No. 2:23-cv-02123 (U.S. District Court, E.D. La. (Judge Susie Morgan), Oct 4, 2023). Dismissed 2023-10-04 because the state officials sued had no duty to enforce the law, which then relied on private suits; plaintiffs' Fifth Circuit appeal was dismissed on their own motion in 2024; plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed the case on 2025-09-29. The law was never enjoined. Source
Related laws
- HB 570 (Act 481 of 2025); HB 977 (Act 185 of 2026) (effective Jul 1, 2027). App store providers must verify age categories, link minor accounts to a parent and obtain parental consent for downloads/purchases. AG enforcement. enacted; HB 977 (signed 2026-05-15) provides that Act 481 does not take effect on 2026-07-01 and moves the start to 2027-07-01
- SB 162 (Act 456 of 2023) (effective Jul 1, 2025). Age verification and parental consent for under-16 social media accounts on large platforms. permanently enjoined as to NetChoice members (NetChoice v. Murrill, M.D. La., 2025-12-15); on appeal to 5th Cir. (No. 26-30016)
Sources
- La. R.S. 9:2800.29, Liability for publishers and distributors of material harmful to minors (Louisiana State Legislature) (legis.la.gov) Statute · accessed Oct 26, 2026
- La. R.S. 51:2121, Enforcement of age verification by publishers and distributors of material harmful to minors (Louisiana State Legislature) (legis.la.gov) Statute · accessed Oct 26, 2026
- HB 142 (2022 Regular Session) bill history, Louisiana State Legislature (legis.la.gov) Legislature · accessed Oct 26, 2026
- HB 77 (2023 Regular Session) bill history, Louisiana State Legislature (legis.la.gov) Legislature · accessed Oct 26, 2026
- HB 977 (2026 Regular Session) bill history, Louisiana State Legislature (legis.la.gov) Legislature · accessed Oct 26, 2026
- Free Speech Coalition, Inc. v. LeBlanc, No. 2:23-cv-02123 (E.D. La.), docket (CourtListener) (courtlistener.com) Court · accessed Oct 26, 2026
- Judge tosses challenge to Louisiana's age verification law aimed at porn websites (WAFB) (wafb.com) News · Oct 5, 2023
- AG Liz Murrill responds to Pornhub's claims that age verification laws are 'dangerous' and 'ineffective' (KTAL, via Yahoo News) (yahoo.com) News · Aug 4, 2026
- Sorry, No Pornhub Access in 25 States and 3 Countries (PCMag, via Yahoo News) (yahoo.com) News · Aug 28, 2026
- Pornhub to block Arizona access due to new age verification law (FOX 9), Aylo on Louisiana traffic drop (fox9.com) News · Sep 22, 2025
- Can States Without Digital IDs Manage Age Verification Laws? (GovTech) (govtech.com) News · Apr 5, 2024
- Children's Online Privacy in 2026: More State App Store, Design Code and Social Media Laws Enacted - Then Delayed (Loeb & Loeb) (loeb.com) News · Jun 2026
This page is general information, not legal advice. Last verified October 26, 2026 by the Editorial Team. See something wrong or out of date? Report a correction. How we work: methodology.