Is Pornhub blocked in Virginia?
Yes. Pornhub has blocked Virginia since June 29, 2023. Virginia law (SB 1515) took effect July 1, 2023.
Since July 1, 2023, Virginia lets people sue websites with more than a third adult content that don't verify users are 18 or older. Pornhub has been blocked in Virginia since just before the law took effect. A 2025 law capping teens' social media time is on hold in court.
The law
| Status | Law in effect |
|---|---|
| Law | SB 1515 (text) |
| Citation | Va. Code § 8.01-40.5 (2023 Acts ch. 811) |
| Signed | May 12, 2023 |
| In effect | July 1, 2023 |
| Who it covers | Commercial entities that knowingly or intentionally publish or distribute material harmful to minors on the internet from a website where more than 33 1/3 percent of total material is harmful to minors. Providers and users of interactive computer services are not covered (§ 8.01-40.5(D)). |
| Accepted ID methods | commercially available database regularly used by businesses or government entities; other commercially reasonable method of age and identity verification |
| Data rules | The statute contains no data-retention or deletion rule. |
| Enforcement | Private right of action only. |
| Penalties | Civil liability for damages resulting from a minor's access, plus reasonable attorney fees and costs; no fixed statutory fine. |
Why is Pornhub blocked in Virginia?
Pornhub blocked Virginia ahead of the July 1, 2023 effective date (reported June 29, 2023). In July 2026 Aylo wrote to Gov. Spanberger and other officials asking them to rescind the law; no change reported.
When did Pornhub block Virginia?
Pornhub stopped serving Virginia on June 29, 2023. Virginia law (SB 1515) took effect July 1, 2023.
Is porn banned in Virginia?
No. Virginia doesn't ban porn. Virginia law (SB 1515) sets age-verification rules for adult sites, and Pornhub chose to block Virginia rather than follow them.
What does SB 1515 require?
Commercial entities that knowingly or intentionally publish or distribute material harmful to minors on the internet from a website where more than 33 1/3 percent of total material is harmful to minors. Providers and users of interactive computer services are not covered (§ 8.01-40.5(D)).
Enforcement: Private right of action only.
Is it illegal to watch porn in Virginia?
No. Virginia law (SB 1515) 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 Virginia?
Virginia law (SB 1515) accepts these methods: commercially available database regularly used by businesses or government entities; other commercially reasonable method of age and identity verification. Each site chooses which ones to offer.
Can porn sites keep my ID in Virginia?
The statute contains no data-retention or deletion rule.
Is it illegal to use a VPN in Virginia?
Virginia law (SB 1515) sets duties for websites. It does not create a penalty for people who use a VPN.
Why does Pornhub think I'm in Virginia?
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 Washington, DC can appear to be in Virginia.
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
Bills to watch
- SB 237 / HB 757 (App Store Accountability Act). App store age verification and parental consent. continued to the 2027 session for further study (JCOTS)
Related laws
- SB 854 (2025) (effective Jan 1, 2026). Platforms must identify users under 16 and limit them to one hour per day per platform unless a parent consents; AG penalties up to $7,500 per violation. preliminarily enjoined 2026-02-27 (NetChoice v. Jones, E.D. Va.); on appeal to the 4th Cir. (No. 26-1252), which on 2026-08-24 denied the Attorney General's renewed motion to stay the injunction pending appeal (2-1, Judge Gregory would have granted it); oral argument set for 2026-10-28
Sources
- Va. Code § 8.01-40.5 (Virginia Law) (law.lis.virginia.gov) Statute · accessed Oct 26, 2026
- SB 1515 (2023 Session) bill summary and history, Virginia Legislative Information System (legacylis.virginia.gov) Legislature · accessed Oct 26, 2026
- Ahead of new age verification law, Pornhub blocks access in Virginia (Virginia Mercury) (virginiamercury.com) News · Jun 29, 2023
- Pornhub pushes for a return to Virginia's web browsers (Axios Richmond) (axios.com) News · Jul 30, 2026
- Judge blocks Virginia law limiting kids' social media time (Minnesota Lawyer/AP) (minnlawyer.com) News · Mar 2, 2026
- NetChoice v. Jay Jones, No. 26-1252 (4th Cir.), order denying renewed motion for stay of preliminary injunction pending appeal, Doc. 70 (Aug. 24, 2026), via CourtListener RECAP (storage.courtlistener.com) Court · Aug 24, 2026
- NetChoice v. Jay Jones, No. 26-1252 (4th Cir.), docket (CourtListener) (courtlistener.com) Court · accessed Oct 26, 2026
- Appeals Court Rejects Virginia Bid To Enforce Social Media Time Limits (MediaPost) (mediapost.com) News · Aug 25, 2026
- Va. lawmakers consider digital protections for children as app store accountability debate continues (Virginia Mercury) (virginiamercury.com) News · Aug 10, 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.