An increasing number of countries are implementing laws that mandate strict age verification to prevent minors from accessing adult content. While well-intentioned, these laws also raise significant concerns around user privacy and data protection.
Nonetheless, some GEOs have already implemented age verification laws and control their enforcement with hefty fines. The USA spearheaded (or at least was among the pioneers) age verification laws, but those are mainly state-regulated, meaning some states are still free from age verification. France is a different case, however, as there is a federal age verification law now. Not to mention other Tier 1 GEOs, where similar laws are being discussed.
Ok, legal eagles, let’s examine how the age verification laws impact the global adult industry, which GEOs are affected, and what we do as the affiliate program of LiveJasmin to ensure you’re compliant with the regulations.
The idea of age verification laws
It’s no secret that nothing prevents users from entering false dates of birth (DoB) or clicking “Yes, I’m 18+” to pass basic age verification mechanisms. Regulators have proposed to impose more rigorous checking, involving a photo ID, biometrical verification, credit card checks, or digital ID wallets in some cases.
When it comes to the adult industry, the ability to cheat age verification creates a danger of explicit content that could be viewed by minors, which is a reasonable concern. Major Tier 1 GEOs governments have been looking for solutions.
In 2017, the United Kingdom tried to impose more strict age verification mechanisms with its Digital Economy Act. However, their plans were scrapped in 2019 due to technological complexities and privacy concerns. Right now, the British are looking for alternative ways to verify the age of their users beyond basic DoB.
Please note that this is the current situation as of March 27, 2025. Make sure to follow our newsletters so that you know if there is an update.
Age restrictions in the USA
There is no all-encompassing federal law in the USA regarding advanced age confirmation. Therefore, individual states decide how they want to approach the delicate matter of balancing personal data protection and the protection of minors.
A.W. Empire works with many GEOs, and the USA is among the most important ones. When it comes to particular states we work with, please keep in mind that the following ones have age verification laws in place, one way or another:
- Louisiana
- Utah
- Mississippi
- Virginia
- Arkansas
- Montana
- North Carolina
- Georgia (Effective July 1, 2025)
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Nebraska
- Alabama
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Florida
- Tennessee
- Texas
When working with any of these states, publishers, advertisers, and marketers must double-check that everything is compliant, set up properly, and user-friendly. In other words, things need to be good to go.
Texas is a special case since the Free Speech Coalition is challenging the law there. This group is worried about preserving the rights of adults to access any content online, in addition to data leaks involving personal information. The law will be voted on by the end of June 2025, so stay tuned.
Texas remains particularly harsh, as failing to comply with age verification can result in a fine, which can go up to $250,000 if a minor is able to access adult content.
France introduces age verification too
The Sécurité et régulation de l’espace numérique (SREN) law, enacted in France in May 2024, mandates that online platforms providing adult content implement robust age verification systems to prevent access by minors, in compliance with Article 227-24 of the French Criminal Code.
The French broadcast authority, Arcom, has set the following key requirements for age verification:
- The age verification provider must be fully independent of the platform service.
- The platform must not access or process age verification data for any purpose other than age verification.
- No ID documents can be stored, unless the user opts for a reusable proof-of-age system.
- Third parties cannot store personal data, unless explicitly authorized by the user.
- Users must have a way to challenge verification results in case of errors.
These are just the basic requirements; additional provisions apply.
A transitional period is in effect until April 9, 2025, allowing for bank card imprint verification. After this period, only identity documents and age estimation techniques will be valid verification methods. Regarding the fines:
- Non-compliance with the age verification law may result in financial penalties of up to €150,000 or 2% of worldwide turnover (excluding VAT) for the previous financial year, whichever is greater. Higher fines apply for repeat offenses.
- Providing minors access to pornographic content is punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment and fines of up to €75,000 (for individuals) or €375,000 (for legal entities). This applies when minors access content through simple self-declaration.
- Failure to comply with Arcom’s formal notices may result in penalties of up to €250,000 or 4% of worldwide turnover (excluding VAT) and potential website blocking.
Concerns about age verification
While well-meaning, age verification laws come with challenges. These include increased operational costs, potential security risks, and concerns about user drop-off.
Even if everything is in place, data leaks are possible, mainly because bad actors might be incentivized to target such huge hubs of personal information, and this is bad publicity, possibly a liability. Moreover, a website might store some data on minors, making them especially vulnerable if the data leaks.
A major industry player reports losses of 80% in Louisiana alone, despite the fact that the company hasn’t boycotted the state. However, the main problem is that users circumvent this limitation and frequent non-compliant platforms, similar to how prohibition spurred the demand for alcohol from bootleggers.
As a final note, the demand for VPNs went through the roof (+1,000%) in Florida after an age verification law was passed. People find ways to access content they like no matter what.
A.W. Empire has things under control
As an affiliate, you have no reason to worry, as A.W. Empire monitors the situation and provides in-house solutions to filter content and display non-explicit content until allowed. That’s why partnering with a trusted affiliate network like A.W. Empire helps you stay ahead of regulations, protect your brand reputation, and ensure long-term compliance.
Stay tuned, we’ll publish all the relevant major updates regarding the situation around age verification laws worldwide. Up until then, the USA and France remain some of the most demanding GEOs when it comes to compliance.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult with your own legal counsel regarding compliance in your jurisdiction.
