Is Pornhub blocked in South Dakota?

Why is Pornhub blocked in South Dakota?

Pornhub shut off access for South Dakota users when the law took effect, showing a statement criticizing the law instead (reported July 2, 2025; in place by July 1). PCMag still listed South Dakota as blocked in June 2026.

When did Pornhub block South Dakota?

Pornhub stopped serving South Dakota on July 1, 2025. South Dakota law (HB 1053) took effect July 1, 2025.

Is porn banned in South Dakota?

No. South Dakota doesn't ban porn. South Dakota law (HB 1053) sets age-verification rules for adult sites, and Pornhub chose to block South Dakota rather than follow them.

What does HB 1053 require?

'Covered platforms': websites for which it is in the regular course of business to create, host or make available material harmful to minors. No percentage threshold. General-purpose search engines, internet service providers and cloud service providers are exempt.

Enforcement: Attorney General (civil penalties and injunctions) plus criminal prosecution; the statute creates no new private right of action. Before acting, the AG must give written notice; a platform that fixes the violation within 90 days and confirms it under oath is not liable.

Is it illegal to watch porn in South Dakota?

No. South Dakota law (HB 1053) puts its duties on websites, not on the people who visit them. Watching legal adult content is not a crime under it.

Separate state and federal laws on obscenity and child sexual abuse material apply everywhere, whatever a state's age-verification rules.

How do I verify my age for adult sites in South Dakota?

South Dakota law (HB 1053) accepts these methods: state-issued driver license or non-driver ID card; the individual's bank account information; debit or credit card that requires the holder to be 18 or older; any other method or document that reliably and accurately indicates whether a user is a minor. Each site chooses which ones to offer.

Can porn sites keep my ID in South Dakota?

Covered platforms and third-party verifiers may not sell or retain identifying information collected for age verification (SDCL 22-24-70); a violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and a repeat violation a Class 6 felony.

Is it illegal to use a VPN in South Dakota?

South Dakota law (HB 1053) sets duties for websites. It does not create a penalty for people who use a VPN.

Why does Pornhub think I'm in South Dakota?

Websites estimate where you are from your IP address, not your street address. Mobile carriers and some internet providers route traffic through regional hubs that can sit across a state line, so a phone in Minnesota can appear to be in South Dakota.

When a site shows another state's notice, the cause is usually where your network's IP address is registered, not the law where you are.