Age verification for material harmful to minors.
This bill introduces a new chapter to the Indiana Code, fundamentally altering how adult websites need to operate concerning age verification. By requiring operators to implement these measures, the bill seeks to enhance online safety for minors. Parents and guardians will have the right to sue website operators who fail to comply and who allow minors to access harmful material. This act is designed to increase accountability for website operators, placing a legal obligation on them to protect underage users.
House Bill 1140 focuses on implementing strict age verification measures for operators of adult-oriented websites, aiming to prevent minors from accessing material deemed harmful to them. The bill mandates that such websites utilize a 'reasonable age verification method' to ensure that only individuals above the age of 17 can access the content. This includes the use of mobile credentials and independent third-party age verification services. The legislation is set to become effective on July 1, 2024, prompting website operators to prepare for compliance ahead of this deadline.
The bill may spark debates around the effectiveness and privacy implications of age verification methods. Critics may argue that such verification processes could lead to the collection of private user data, which raises concerns about data retention and privacy rights. Conversely, proponents of the bill may contend that safeguarding minors from inappropriate content online outweighs these concerns. Additionally, the involvement of parents and guardians as potential litigants in lawsuits against non-compliant websites is likely to be a point of contention regarding the enforcement of the new requirements.