A new Ohio legislation demands a photo ID or other authentication to access pornography online. But Pornhub claims the new rules do not apply to its business.

Mashable reported that Pornhub has not shut down in Ohio or enabled the age verification required by the law, which went into effect on September 30.

Under Ohio law, businesses that sell or provide products or performances that are “obscene or harmful to juveniles” must verify users’ ages using a photo ID or other documents, such as mortgage or employment information. Companies who fail to comply risk being sued.

However, the statute does not extend to “interactive computer services,” a broad word that courts have defined as including Google, Meta, and other web hosting platforms. In general, these companies are not liable for any third-party content uploaded on their websites.

Pornhub’s parent firm, Aylo, told Mashable that the same exception applies to its operations.

“It is our understanding that we are not subject to the obligations under (the new Ohio law) regarding mandated age verification for the ‘interactive computer services’ we provide, such as Pornhub,” Aylo wrote in a prepared statement.

Republican lawmakers and organizations such as the Center for Christian Virtue supported the reform.

“Parents must be empowered to protect their children’s innocence,” Center for Christian Virtue’s David Mahan stated in 2023. “This legislation is another vitally important step towards putting the safety of children over the financial aspirations of predatory industries.”

Pornhub is restricted in more than 20 states and countries, most recently in France, due to age-verification regulations and other limitations.