Age-verification regulations have gained traction globally in recent years. Commonly referred to as age assurance or age checks, these laws typically necessitate that websites featuring explicit content confirm users are over 18. However, the process has evolved beyond a simple checkbox. Increasingly, laws require personal data, such as a photo of a government ID or facial recognition scans, for access to certain online content.

While these laws are intended to curb minors’ access to porn, experts have long maintained that age verification is not effective for this aim. Websites located in other countries might evade compliance, and users can circumvent these regulations using VPNs or other techniques. Research by NYU also indicates that age verification is not effective.

Experts emphasize the digital privacy and security risks associated with submitting personal information to various sites. Dangers include the potential for identity theft if data falls into the hands of malicious actors and the lack of internet access for individuals without an ID, which may exacerbate the digital divide.

In spite of these issues, such regulations continue to proliferate worldwide. Below is a summary of regions implementing age verification laws:

United States: Age-verification laws are enforced on a state-by-state level. Following Louisiana’s legislation in 2023, similar bills have surfaced across the nation. The Supreme Court deemed these laws constitutional in 2025, inspiring additional states to adopt them. States with such laws include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

United Kingdom: The Online Safety Act, which encompasses age-verification stipulations, became effective in July 2025. Websites must employ methods such as banking information, ID photo verification, or facial recognition scans to verify age. Ofcom has the authority to impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue on non-compliant sites. Some websites have adopted age checks, while others, including 4chan and Kiwi Farms, have taken legal action against Ofcom.

France: France’s age verification legislation, which mandates third-party systems to verify users’ ages, was initiated in June 2025. It must follow a “double-blind” approach, ensuring that neither the adult site nor the verification system is aware of each other’s details. The law was temporarily halted but has since been reinstated, with Pornhub intermittently blocking and unblocking access in the country.

Italy: Effective November 12, Italy will mandate age verification for pornographic websites. AGCOM has published a list of 45 websites that must adhere to these regulations or face fines of up to 250,000 Euros. Verification must be conducted by a certified third party in a two-step process for each session.

Australia: Australian legislation requires age verification for Google or Microsoft accounts using search engines by the end of the year. Explicit content must be either filtered or blurred when age assurance is not feasible.

China: Given that pornography is illegal, China’s age-verification frameworks are focused on video games, livestreaming, payment processors, and social media. Users are required to complete Real Name Verification, supplying their name and ID number, and possibly additional information such as a phone number or facial scan.

This list is anticipated to expand, with updates to be provided as they arise. Oliver Griffiths from Ofcom characterized age verification for pornographic sites as a “global issue,” with initiatives to establish global standards already in progress.

UPDATE: Dec. 2, 2025, 11:49 a.m. EST The U.S. list has been revised to include Missouri.