pornblocked

Is Pornhub blocked in Alabama?

Yes. Pornhub has blocked Alabama since September 26, 2024. Alabama law (HB 164) took effect October 1, 2024.

Pornhub blocked Law in effect
Last verified Sources (14)

Since October 1, 2024, Alabama requires adult websites, apps and platforms where more than a third of the content is sexual material harmful to minors to use a reasonable age-verification method and to display state-written health warnings; a 10 percent tax on Alabama-based adult content followed on September 1, 2025. Pornhub has blocked Alabama since late September 2024 instead of checking ages. A separate app store age-verification law takes effect January 1, 2027.

The law

Key facts
StatusLaw in effect
LawHB 164 (text)
CitationAla. Code §§ 8-19G-1 to 8-19G-10 (Act 2024-97)
SignedApril 18, 2024
In effectOctober 1, 2024
Who it coversCommercial entities that knowingly and intentionally publish or distribute sexual material harmful to minors through an 'adult website': a website, application, or digital or virtual platform where more than 33 1/3 percent of the content is sexual material harmful to minors. Bona fide news-gathering organizations are exempt; internet service providers, search engines and cloud service providers are not liable for merely providing access.
Accepted ID methodsreasonable age-verification method: any commercially available software, application, program or methodology that gives reasonable assurance the user is 18 or older (no specific method is mandated)
Data rulesThe site and any third-party verifier may not retain personally identifying information after access is granted (§ 8-19G-4); a site that knowingly retains it is liable to the individual for damages, court costs and attorney fees.
EnforcementBoth: private civil action in circuit court by an injured individual or a minor's parent or guardian, and the Attorney General, who may petition for civil penalties once a court finds a violation. Violations are also violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
PenaltiesPrivate plaintiffs: actual and punitive damages, court costs and attorney fees. Attorney General: civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation after a court finding of a violation, plus remedies under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Why is Pornhub blocked in Alabama?

Pornhub blocked Alabama IP addresses rather than verify ages. The Alabama Reporter (Sept. 27, 2024) reported the block began on 'Thursday', i.e. Sept. 26, 2024, ahead of the Oct. 1 effective date. Alabama remained on PCMag's list of states where Pornhub is blocked in August 2026.

When did Pornhub block Alabama?

Pornhub stopped serving Alabama on September 26, 2024. Alabama law (HB 164) took effect October 1, 2024.

Is porn banned in Alabama?

No. Alabama doesn't ban porn. Alabama law (HB 164) sets age-verification rules for adult sites, and Pornhub chose to block Alabama rather than follow them.

What does HB 164 require?

Commercial entities that knowingly and intentionally publish or distribute sexual material harmful to minors through an 'adult website': a website, application, or digital or virtual platform where more than 33 1/3 percent of the content is sexual material harmful to minors. Bona fide news-gathering organizations are exempt; internet service providers, search engines and cloud service providers are not liable for merely providing access.

Enforcement: Both: private civil action in circuit court by an injured individual or a minor's parent or guardian, and the Attorney General, who may petition for civil penalties once a court finds a violation. Violations are also violations of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Is it illegal to watch porn in Alabama?

No. Alabama law (HB 164) 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 Alabama?

Alabama law (HB 164) accepts these methods: reasonable age-verification method: any commercially available software, application, program or methodology that gives reasonable assurance the user is 18 or older (no specific method is mandated). Each site chooses which ones to offer.

Can porn sites keep my ID in Alabama?

The site and any third-party verifier may not retain personally identifying information after access is granted (§ 8-19G-4); a site that knowingly retains it is liable to the individual for damages, court costs and attorney fees.

Is it illegal to use a VPN in Alabama?

Alabama law (HB 164) sets duties for websites. It does not create a penalty for people who use a VPN.

Why does Pornhub think I'm in Alabama?

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 Florida can appear to be in Alabama.

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.

Timeline

  1. HB 164 is introduced in the Alabama House (first read Feb. 14, 2024). [1]
  2. Gov. Kay Ivey approves HB 164, which becomes Act 2024-97. [2]
  3. Pornhub blocks visitors in Alabama ahead of the law's start date. [10]
  4. HB 164's age-verification, data, health-warning and consent provisions take effect. [1]
  5. HB 164's 10 percent tax on gross receipts from adult content produced, sold or otherwise based in Alabama takes effect. [1]

Related laws

  • HB 164, Section 9 (Ala. Code § 8-19G-9) (effective Oct 1, 2024). Covered sites must display three state-written 'Alabama Health and Human Services' warnings (claims about addiction, brain development, mental health and demand for prostitution and exploitation) on the landing page and in advertisements, and a SAMHSA helpline notice (1-800-662-4357) on every page, in 14-point type or larger. in effect
  • HB 164, Section 10 (Ala. Code § 8-19G-10) (effective Sep 1, 2025). 10 percent tax on the gross receipts of adult websites from material harmful to minors that is produced, sold, filmed, generated or otherwise based in Alabama, collected by the Department of Revenue; proceeds go to the Department of Mental Health. in effect
  • HB 164, Section 8 (Ala. Code § 8-19G-8) (effective Oct 1, 2024). Before publishing a private image through an adult website, the site must obtain notarized written consent from every person depicted and keep the records for at least five years. in effect
  • HB 161 (App Store Accountability Act, 2026), Act 2026-59 (effective Jan 1, 2027). App store providers must request age category information when an account is created in Alabama, and by Oct. 1, 2027 for accounts that existed on Oct. 2, 2026, and must obtain verifiable parental consent before minors download apps or make purchases. Covers pre-installed apps. Attorney General enforcement as a deceptive trade practice. enacted, not yet in effect (approved by the governor 2026-02-17 as Act 2026-59)
  • SB 186 (2025) (effective Oct 1, 2025). Smartphones and tablets made on or after June 1, 2025 and activated in Alabama must ask the user's age at setup and automatically enable an obscenity filter for minors. Manufacturers face civil liability if a minor then accesses obscene material; Attorney General civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, capped at $50,000 in aggregate. in effect

Sources

  1. HB 164 (2024 Regular Session), enrolled text, Alabama Legislature (alison.legislature.state.al.us) Legislature · Apr 11, 2024
  2. Act 2024-97 (H 164) record, Legislative Acts, Alabama Secretary of State (arc-sos.state.al.us) Government · accessed Oct 26, 2026
  3. Act 2026-59 (H 161) record, Legislative Acts, Alabama Secretary of State (arc-sos.state.al.us) Government · accessed Oct 26, 2026
  4. SB 186 (2025 Regular Session), enrolled text, Alabama Legislature (alison.legislature.state.al.us) Legislature · May 1, 2025
  5. HB 161 (2026 Regular Session), enrolled text, Alabama Legislature (alison.legislature.state.al.us) Legislature · Feb 10, 2026
  6. Ala. Code § 8-19G-3 (Justia) (law.justia.com) Statute · accessed Oct 26, 2026
  7. Ala. Code § 8-19G-2 definitions (Justia) (law.justia.com) Statute · accessed Oct 26, 2026
  8. Ala. Code ch. 8-19G section list (Justia) (law.justia.com) Statute · accessed Oct 26, 2026
  9. Alabama HB 164 (2024) bill history (FastDemocracy) (fastdemocracy.com) Tracker · accessed Oct 26, 2026
  10. Alabama begins to see impacts of porn ID law implementation (Alabama Reporter) (alreporter.com) News · Sep 27, 2024
  11. Porn sites blocking access in Alabama over state law requiring age verification (1819 News) (1819news.com) News · Sep 28, 2024
  12. Alabama's new 'Porn ID Law' raises privacy and rights concerns (Alabama Reporter) (alreporter.com) News · Apr 19, 2024
  13. Sorry, No Pornhub Access in 25 States and 3 Countries (PCMag, via Yahoo News) (yahoo.com) News · Aug 28, 2026
  14. Alabama Becomes the Fourth State to Enact an App Store Accountability Act (Loeb & Loeb) (loeb.com) News · Feb 2026

This page is general information, not legal advice. Last verified October 26, 2026 by the Editorial Team. See something wrong or out of date? Report a correction. How we work: methodology.