Researchers studied the impact of Louisiana's Act 440, which mandated age verification on websites with substantial pornographic content. They found that while Pornhub (compliant) experienced a 51% drop in search traffic, XVideos (non-compliant) saw a 48.1% increase. This demonstrates a classic case of tech regulation backfiring, where the intended goal wasn't achieved due to the ease of switching to non-compliant platforms.
The study highlights the difficulty of regulating online content, particularly regarding minors' access to pornography. Existing laws often face challenges due to the global nature of the internet and the ability to circumvent restrictions through various methods such as VPNs. The researchers note the high correlation between Google Trends data and actual website traffic, lending credibility to their findings based on search trends.
The study also delves into privacy concerns surrounding age verification. Pornhub, concerned about user privacy, pulled out of many states with similar laws, choosing to comply only in Louisiana due to its LA Wallet system. This raises questions about the balance between protecting minors and respecting individual privacy.
The researchers suggest that effective regulation may require a multi-faceted approach. This includes more sophisticated age verification protocols that prioritize user privacy and possibly addressing content distribution via social media platforms. They emphasize the need for continuous evaluation and improvement of policies through robust, evidence-based research to better understand and address the issue.