Florida Attorney General James Usmieyer has filed lawsuits against several online porn operators, accusing minors of violating the state’s ageing laws by allowing minors to access adult content. The complaint covers both national and international institutions, including the popular website XVIDEOS.
Uthmeier claims it “significantly” ignored Florida’s ageing requirements under HB 3, signed in 2024, which requires users to have anonymous or secure age checks before accessing explicit materials. The platform, named in the lawsuit, reportedly continued to operate without performing any form of verification, despite receiving a formal notice from the Attorney General’s Office in April requesting compliance.
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“As the father of a young child and as an attorney general, this is completely unacceptable,” Usmeyer said in a statement. He accused them of “preying on children’s innocence for financial gain,” and vowed to hold them accountable under Florida law.
The lawsuit is part of Uthmeier’s broader initiative to implement digital content protection for minors in Florida. Earlier this year, his office filed charges in unrelated cases involving international child pornography rings and Florida predators who used Snapchat to misuse minors.
Law observers note that Florida’s HB 3 is the subject of federal lawsuits by high-tech trade groups, including the Computer & Communications Industry Association and NetChoice, which claim that the law violates the First Amendment and federal privacy standards. A federal judge recently allowed Florida to enforce the law while being reunited and dismissing the group’s first assignment.
The enforcement action attempts to impose a civil penalty of up to $50,000 for each violation, allowing additional fines for businesses that do not comply with a subpoena or court order. The defendants include companies operating outside the United States, but Uthmeier shows that states pursue enforcement regardless of jurisdiction.
Critics of Florida’s approach say a recent federal court decision has upheld similar laws in other states, but could face constitutional challenges. Uthmeier is confident in the legality of Florida law and describes lawsuits as a necessary step to protecting children from harmful online content.
