Penalty levied for failing to remove CSAM and NCM videos

Aylo Group Ltd, owner of the popular explicit video sharing site, PornHub, agreed to pay the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the state of Utah a five million dollar fine. According to an FTC press release, Aylo deceived “users by doing little to block tens of thousands of videos and photos featuring child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and nonconsensual material (NCM) despite claiming that this content was “strictly prohibited.’’’

The substantial fine comes on the heels of a 2020 New York Times article exposing the company’s failure to control PornHub’s content. As another New York Times piece noted, this caused Mastercard and Visa to cut ties with Aylo, which, even after Aylo started requiring content uploaders and performers to provide proof of consent and of legal age.

J’Accuse!

The FTC press release also accused Aylo of misleading those very same content providers, writing that it “told its models that they could ‘trust that their personal data remains secure’ yet failed to use standard security measures to protect the data.” 

But Aylo’s problems didn’t stop there. The FTC said the company was also unable or unwilling to block anyone attempting to upload CSAM videos, instead only keeping them from circumventing the ban by setting up other accounts using the username or email address.

RECOMMENDED READ: Companion Bot Companies Quake as a New California Law Targets Their Products

Not only that, but Aylo was caught in a lie when it claimed it had begun digitally marking potentially under-age content to alert them should the producer try to resubmit it to any of PornHub’s other sites—but the FTC pointed out this wasn’t effectively implemented for four years, from 2017 to 2021, resulting in what could be as many as a hundred CSAM videos being re-uploaded.

We promise, really—

In response, Aylo told TechCrunch it would be redoubling its self-policing efforts, pledging to “reaffirms [its] efforts to prevent the publication of CSAM and NCM.”

However, though accepting the judgment and fine, Aylo seems resistant to its intent, adding “The resolution reached involved enhancements to existing measures but did not introduce any new substantive requirements that were not either already in place or in progress”—apparently unaware of how many times it failed to fulfill any of its previous promises.

By admitting guilt, along with paying the five million dollar fine, Aylo agreed to verify the content and legal identity of anyone appearing in content submitted to PornHub or its other adult platforms; establish new, more stringent ways to halt the spread of underage and/or nonconsensual materials to any of its sites; permanently delete any CSAM and NCM still in its systems.

Porn needs help

Though their efforts might end up driving adult content viewers to unblocking sites, the age-verification laws sweeping the United States and other countries have certainly hit adult platforms where it hurts them the worst: their bank accounts.

Case in point: Anthony Penhale, Aylo’s chief legal officer, even went so far as to send a letter to Microsoft, Google, and Apple, begging for their help.  As Wired reported, he asked the tech giants to integrate age-verification tech into not just every app they sell but into their operating systems as well:

Based on our real-world experience with existing age assurance laws, we strongly support the initiative to protect minors online. However, we have found site-based age assurance approaches to be fundamentally flawed and counterproductive.

While Apple and Microsoft didn’t respond to Wired’s request to comment on the letter, Google’s Karl Ryan gave a less than supportive answer, saying, 

Google is committed to protecting kids online, including by developing and deploying new age assurance tools like our Credential Manager API that websites can use. We don’t allow adult entertainment apps on Google Play and would emphasize that certain high-risk services like Aylo will always need to invest in specific tools to meet their own legal and responsibility obligations.  

Storm on the horizon

Putting all this together, it appears Aylo’s dug itself into an extremely deep hole with every failure to block content exploiting non-consensual and underage performers, who suffer great emotional, physical, and financial harm. And Aylo’s out and out lies may ensure it may never see the light of day again.

Worse, its Google, Microsoft, and Apple letters might even be read as an admission of guilt, that despite its public commitment to do better, it seems to admit it can’t fulfil the promises it made to the FTC.

If so, as with any adult platform unable to grasp the why people are up in arms about CSAM and NCM content, then Aylo and all of its other sites deserve an unmarked grave.

Image Sources: Depositphotos

The post Pornhub Coughs up $5 Million FTC Fine—What This Might Mean for Other Adult Content Platforms appeared first on Future of Sex.

Why America’s most sexually curious states may also be the most confused

Illinois, “The Corn State,” now has another claim to fame as its Silent S could stand for sex! According to a study conducted by Lion’s Den —an inclusive, Ohio-based purveyor of sex products and consumer education established in 1971—the state ranks number one in sexual obsessions, “with over 15,300 searches per capita about dating, sex tips, and adult toys.”

Nevada (known for “Slots and Sluts”), Wyoming (“Square but Fun”), North Carolina (“We Like Being on Top”), and North Dakota (“The Rough Rider State”) also rank in the top five sex-obsessed states—and with slogans like these, I guess we can see why.

However residents of Vermont (“We Make Pancakes Tolerable”), ranked seventh in the top ten, reported the most active sex life, with “1.7 sexual encounters weekly.” Square but fun Wyoming was a sexy second at 1.3. Who would have thought?

Inquiring minds need to know

According to OnFocus, Lion’s Den research:

…takes into account online search behavior, sex frequency, number of sex therapists in the state, and single-person household percentage. The final ranking is based on the sex-related Google searches per 100K residents, focusing on the states that demonstrate the highest interest in sex-related content, products, and services. 

Lion’s Den investigated internet searches for the best dating apps, Tinder alternatives, and casual dating sites, as well as sex toys and tips, such as sex positions and “how to last longer.” The study also incorporated data on the number of sex therapists and sexual health clinics per state as well as the percentage of single person households.

RECOMMENDED READ: We-Vibe Sextech Report: Talk, Grab a Toy, and Enjoy

The study also compared total searches with each state’s population, analyzing these figures with Google’s “Searches per 100K People” as a population adjustment measure.

As for how often were people doing it—on average per week—it’s not clear if solo sex was included. Most likely the researchers and respondents only counted partner sex.

Ignorance, need, or both?

Pete Potenzini, Lion’s Den’s Marketing Director, explained the significance of the study to OnFocus: 

The growing digital exploration of sexuality across America reveals important gaps in accessible safety information, with the most sexually curious regions often having the least comprehensive sex education resources. While Americans increasingly seek sexual wellness information online, converting this curiosity into consistent safety practices remains a critical public health challenge that requires culturally sensitive approaches tailored to regional attitudes.

Therefore we can consider the Illinois, Wyoming, North Carolina, and North Dakota internet searches as the result of a dearth of sex information due to entrenched sexual conservatism and negativity. Second place Nevada could be considered an exception, as its permissive sex work laws might indicate public policy support for sexual health and education resources. 

The impacts of different state policies and laws, religious communities, and social culture and standards, might affect the quality of youth and adult sex education, access to clinics, and even the willingness of sex therapists to locate their practices in particular areas. 

Sexually conservative sex education impacts adult behaviors

Young adults provided with little or inaccurate sex education may eventually result in  them having to scour the internet for all everything they want to know but are afraid to ask. So what is the status of sex ed in our top five states, plus one?

The following figures on sex education come from The World Population Review’s list of Abstinence-Only Education States 2025. And because adult entertainment is often used as a form of sex ed, we also include Pornhub page view statistics per capita from Westword.

Illinois: has the smallest number of sexual health clinics, but the highest number of sex therapists per 100K people. In fact, the state logged 1.4 Million searches for “sex therapists near me” and had the largest number of sex therapists per 100K. Illinois also had the most searches for sex tips. Even so, sex frequency was only a .748 average per week.

Illinois’s sex education programs stress abstinence only and sex between married 

couples only (SBMCO). Contraception is covered and sexual orientation topics are inclusive. Pornhub gives 161 page views per capita.

Nevada: Is the top five state with the most single people and residents report sex about one time a week. When it comes to the amount of searches for “lasting longer in bed,” Nevada is about in the middle.

Nevada’s sex ed programs don’t even mention abstinence only. 166 Pornhub page views per capita.

Wyoming: had the highest number of sexual health clinics and close to 1.4 sex encounters per week, per 100K.

Wyoming also does not mention abstinence only in its sex ed programs. 89 Pornhub page views per capita.

North Carolina: had 53,100 searches for how to last longer and 53,100 searches for best sex positions (even if it does like being on top).

Sex education programs stress abstinence only and SBMCO. Contraception is covered. Sexual orientation is not covered. 116 Pornhub page views per capita.

North Dakota: was much less interested in sexual content over all. There are only two sex therapists per 100K.

Sex education programs cover abstinence only and stress SBMCO. Contraception is not covered. Sexual orientation is not covered. 123 Pornhub page views per capita.

Vermont: As mentioned earlier, Vermont’s residents have sex more often than the other nine states in the study’s top ten.

Vermont offers abstinence only as a choice. 106 Pornhub page views per capita. Incidentally, Vermont was the first state to enshrine abortion rights in its state constitution.

When red can’t handle the rainbow—but craves it

Far more could be learned about regional sexual behaviors, including internet queries, from research like the Lion’s Den study. 

Put this information together with political stats and quite a picture emerges. One of the starkest examples of sexual hypocrisy—personal interest masked by public conservatism—is the red state fascination with adult entertainment featuring transgender performers. 

For example, in June 2022, Lawsuit.org examined nineteen days of Google searches for anything related to adult sites or products with (mostly) transgender women. Out of twenty states—mostly “red”—North Carolina ranked seventh and Illinois ranked eighth in these searches. Data from metro areas were also logged.

The results suggest a correlation between secretive fantasy interest among social conservatives and their well-known, public oppression of transgender people.

According to the 2025 Anti-Trans Bills Tracker, all five of the Lion’s Den top “sex obsessed” states—Illinois, Nevada, Wyoming, North Carolina, North Dakota—have anti-transgender legislation pending and/or passed, though some were subsequently vetoed). In contrast, Vermont does not have any anti-trans bills pending or passed.

More than personal

Every scrap of research shining light on real sexual behaviors and private attitudes is worthwhile. Whether the data comes from academic journals, bold retailers like Lion’s Den and WeVibe, or advocates like Lawsuit.org, we should continue to respect the results as a way to potentially foster education, advocacy, and ongoing cultural change.

Sexual and gender ignorance too often results in private anguish and public cruelty. When people  are denied honest knowledge about their bodies and desires they often seek it out furtively—but shame doesn’t stay quiet for long. It lashes out, vilifies, and punishes those who dare to live, love, and exist outside rigid norms.

This is why gathering, protecting, and spreading sex- and gender-positive knowledge is an act of both joy and rebellion. We must stay bold, curious, and stubbornly radiant. Our pleasures, our truths, and our bright but messy humanity are too powerful to be erased.

Image sources: A.R. Marsh using Ideogram.ai

The post Red States, Risqué Secrets: Who’s Really Obsessing Over Sex? appeared first on Future of Sex.

SB 523 targets adult content while carving out exemptions for married couples

A Baptist minister serving in the Oklahoma State Senate, Dusty Deevers wants everyone except married couples to be prosecuted, fined, and imprisoned for any transmission, ownership, or viewing adult content. Unless, of course, you’re a  presumably heterosexual married couple wanting to share spicy selfies. 

According to XBiz, Deever’s proposed Senate Bill 523 amends existing laws, many already existing to prohibit underage sexual imagery and under eighteen access to adult content sites such as Pornhub. 

Quoted in the article, Deevers claims “pornography is both degenerate material and a highly addictive drug” and his proposed law would “restore moral sanity.”

But it’s one thing to propose legislation against child pornography—something most people clearly support—and quite another thing to prohibit materials depicting every possible type of adult consensual sexual behavior.

In the eye of the legislator

Though SB 523 and the laws it intends to amend includes the oft-quoted definition of pornography as lacking “serious literary, artistic, educational, political, or scientific

purposes or value,” the law would also prohibit depictions of “sexual intercourse which is normal or perverted;” “oral and anal sodomy”; oral sex; masturbation; “lewd exhibition” of uncovered sexy body parts; bondage; and flogging. 

“Acts of excretion in a sexual context” would also be prohibited, suggesting it’s okay to possess, view, or transmit depictions of bodily excretions that somehow aren’t sexual.

As Corey Silverstein, an adult industry attorney, told Xbiz, “Oklahoma’s SB 593 is one of the most ridiculous proposed anti-pornography laws that I’ve ever seen.” 

Similarly quoted in Xbiz, Mike Stabile, Director of Public Policy at Free Speech Coalition, said, “Porn is the canary in the coal mine of free speech, and the trial balloon used by governments to pass laws that can censor speech more broadly.”

So, wait! More than just sexy spousal selfies?

A curious feature of Oklahoma’s SB 523 is the ending of Section Section 1024.2., “This section shall not be construed to prevent spouses from sending images of a sexual nature to each other.” 

So it’s not against the law if Dusty Deevers—or any of his colleagues in the state senate or in his congregation—want to send depictions of “acts of excretion in a sexual context” to their legal spouses? 

And does Section 1024.2.’s oddly worded, legislative afterthought mean images don’t have to necessarily feature either one of the married couple or that its hefty fines and lengthy sentences need not apply?

Criminalizing behavior–and creators of adult content

SB 523 goes a step further. Not content with prohibiting viewing, owning, or distributing the naughty images, no one  would be allowed help produce them:

No person shall knowingly photograph, act in, pose for, model for, print, sell, offer for sale, give away, exhibit, publish, offer to publish, or otherwise distribute, display, or exhibit any book, magazine, story, pamphlet, paper, writing, card, advertisement, circular, print, picture, photograph, motion picture film, electronic video game or recording, image, cast, slide, figure, instrument, statue, drawing, presentation, or other article which is obscene material.

Don’t you be my neighbor

That’s not all, SB 523 actually provides a financial incentive for citizens to inform on one another. Free Speech Coalition, which tracks legislation affecting the adult industries, summarized:

The measure authorizes any person to bring action against any person who produces or distributes such items and knowingly engages in conduct that aids or abets the production or distribution of unlawful pornography. The measure provides that a person prevailing in his or her claims shall be entitled to $10,000.00 for each image as well as court costs and attorney fees. 

One is one too many

Dusty Deevers may have set his sights on erotic imagery but legislators elsewhere, like Texas State Representative Hillary Gail Hickland, have taken aim at pleasure products too. In December she introduced Texas HB 1549 to prevent sex toys from being sold in Target, Walmart, and CVS, referring to sex toys as “obscene devices.”

Likewise, Indiana enacted a bill banning sexually oriented businesses from operating within 1,000 feet of “any location where children may be present.” And if you are trying to locate a sex toy retailer in West Virginia, you’re out of luck, as a 2023 law restricts all sexually oriented businesses, including “retailers of videos, pleasure products, and print materials, theaters, strip clubs, and even art studios featuring nude models.” 

Worse, yet these and other state laws could be harbingers of federal legislation, evidenced by the current US administration’s embrace of the conservative Project 2025’s advocation that “Pornography should be outlawed. The people who produce and distribute it should be imprisoned.”

For a fact-checked discussion of the impact of prohibitions of adult content and how this has been centered in US policy discussions, check the Woodhull Freedom Foundation.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

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