Bluesky enforces age checks in Ohio under new law; many adult sites don’t comply

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – While the social media platform Bluesky has enacted age verification measures in Ohio in response to a new state law that aims to protect children from “obscene” content, a variety of pornography websites have not. 

A new Ohio law went into effect on Sept. 30, requiring pornography websites and any online platform that hosts a “significant” amount of content that is “obscene or harmful to juveniles” to verify their visitors are adults.

The statute mandates such websites confirm users’ ages by obtaining a copy of their government-issued photo ID or other age-verifying documents, such as proof of a mortgage or employment. To ensure Ohio users’ ages are verified, platforms are responsible for using technology to monitor the location of their visitors. 

On Wednesday, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost – who holds authority to enforce the law – announced his office reviewed 20 “top pornography websites” and found that only one is complying with the statute. The office said Yost is sending letters to the noncompliant sites, warning them of lawsuits if they fail to enact age-verification measures within 45 days. 

“This duly enacted law protects young, impressionable children from the harms of adult-only material found online,” Yost said in a news release. “It’s time for these companies to explain why they think they’re above the law.”

Meanwhile, Bluesky, a competitor to X and Threads, announced on Sept. 28 that it would implement age verification measures in Ohio in light of the law. While Bluesky is not strictly a pornography platform, it does allow adult content. 

Bluesky has enabled age-verification software called Kids Web Services, which allows users to choose from multiple methods, including scanning an ID or payment card. The social media site uses the software in other states with similar laws, such as South Dakota and Wyoming. 

“In this rapidly evolving regulatory environment, our goal is to respect the law while balancing safety, free expression, and user privacy to serve the greater good of our community,” the company wrote in a blog addressing its age verification measures. “Responding to new laws and regulations will require pragmatism and flexibility.”

Before the law took effect, the Free Speech Coalition, a nonprofit trade association for the adult entertainment industry, warned residents that the measure could expand its reach to social media. Director of Public Policy Mike Stabile previously told Nexstar’s WCMH that Ohio’s law is particularly vague compared with other states and, therefore, may result in a variety of platforms choosing to enact age verification measures to prevent legal issues. 

“It affects not just porn sites, but any site that might have material that is defined as harmful to juveniles,” Stabile said before the law’s implementation. “Under the law, I think that sites like X and Reddit and Bluesky may have to begin age verifying. … As we’ve seen in other places, services like Spotify may decide to do it as well to avoid potentially triggering the law.”

Reddit and X also allow pornography on their platforms, but neither has implemented age verification measures. WCMH reached out to both to ask if they plan to begin verifying users’ ages. A spokesperson with Reddit said the site does not have an official statement, but pointed to a comment made by Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township), a supporter of the measure, who claimed the law won’t impact social media sites. X did not respond. 

NBC4 also asked the Ohio Attorney General’s Office how it plans to address the new law and if it is considering enforcing it against social media companies. The agency has yet to answer.