SALT LAKE CITY — A new law in Utah comes into force Wednesday, making adult websites liable if minors in the state circumvent geolocation efforts to bypass age verification.

As XBIZ reported in March, when Utah’s SB 73 was signed into law, the bill updates investigation and enforcement rules for age verification and imposes an excise tax of 2% on adult sites operating in the state.

The new tax does not take effect until Oct. 1, but the legislation’s new VPN rule takes effect Wednesday.

That provision states: “An individual is considered to be accessing the website from this state if the individual is actually located in the state, regardless of whether the individual is using a virtual private network, proxy server, or other means to disguise or misrepresent the individual’s geographic location to make it appear that the individual is accessing a website from a location outside this state.”

An Emerging Legislative/Legal Trend

The VPN provision reflects growing concern about the widespread use of techniques to circumvent age verification, which has inspired both state and federal efforts to close that practical loophole.

In Ohio, a bill titled the “Innocence Act” would require adult sites to “utilize a geofence system maintained and monitored by a licensed location-based technology provider” to dynamically monitor a user’s physical location and ascertain whether the user is located in the state, and thereby subject to age verification.

Meanwhile, in Washington, the proposed Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act, which would make age verification by adult websites federal law, includes a provision requiring sites to take “reasonable measures” to address circumvention of age verification.

Finally, as XBIZ reported in March, the state of Indiana is suing Aylo, alleging that the company and its affiliates have violated the state’s AV law by failing to prevent access by users using virtual private networks to avoid geolocation — even though Indiana law does not specify a duty to account for intentional circumvention of geoblocking.

The VPN language in SB 73 could similarly impact enforcement of Utah’s existing age verification law and/or lead to further legal tests of whether sites can be held accountable for access by users who circumvent geoblocking.

LOS ANGELES — Kasey Kei has been nominated for Most Popular Trans Femme Performer at the 8th Annual Pornhub Awards, which will take place on May 27 in Los Angeles.

“This really made my week,” said Kei. “Before I was in the industry, I dreamed of being nominated and winning a Pornhub Award, and now, I’m halfway there thanks to my fans and, of course, Pornhub. I would really love to win this, so keep searching for me and watching my videos.”

Fan voting for the Pornhub Awards is open until May 23. For the full list of nominees, click here.

Follow Kei on X.com.

LOS ANGELES — After winning the award last year, Derek Kage has once again been nominated for Top Daddy Performer at the 8th Annual Pornhub Awards, which will take place on May 27 in Los Angeles.

“Winning my first Pornhub Award last year was a dream come true,” said Kage. “It was a magical night, and that was just the cherry on top of an amazing sundae. It would be amazing to win again. Hopefully, my worldwide fans have been searching for me and watching my videos enough to make that happen. Thank you so much, Pornhub.”

Fan voting for the Pornhub Awards is open until May 23. For the full list of nominees, click here.

Follow Kage on X.com.

LOS ANGELES — Multi-XMAs award-winner Lilly Bell captures the cover spotlight in the May issue of X3 magazine, the premier publication revealing the real personalities, passions and stories behind top stars.

In the cover story, Bell opens up about not holding back when performing, knowing when to pace herself and when to push herself, and why it’s so important that her on-camera pleasure is the real deal. She also delves into some of her most debauched moments, her unabashed passion for classic reality TV, her excitement over making inroads into mainstream movies, and the unbridled determination she sums up perfectly: “I’m a hustler, I’ll make it happen.”

Also in the May issue, comeback star Yhivi relives her journey from selling her underwear online to studio stardom, clueing readers in on what made her step away from the spotlight and what has powered her renaissance. Meanwhile, Euro domme Sabien DeMonia holds forth on weirdo power, why she loves gonzo, and proper etiquette on set. Kera Bear details her transformation from wholesome stay-at-home mom to top clip creator, and rising star Isa Bella dishes on the perils of virtual reality shoots while zipping past milestones faster than you can say “bucket list.”

To view the new issue online, click here.

LAS VEGAS — Asteria Jade stars alongside London Ford in the latest offering from Naughty America series “My Friend’s Hot Girl.”

The scene opens with “London on the couch at his best friend’s house after a fight with his girlfriend the night before,” the synopsis reveals. “Asteria walks in naked with her morning coffee and is surprised to see him there. She sits on the couch and listens to his heartbreak story. Asteria’s solution is a naughty one; she gives him a BJ, and he returns the favor with some oral from behind.”

Ford enthused about the scene.

“This is my third Naughty America scene to drop in a month, and I can’t wait to film more,” he said. “I love their storylines and that I get to act a bit. All three ladies have been fabulous to work with, and their members have really enjoyed the scenes.”

The scene is streaming on NaughtyAmerica.

Follow Jade and Ford on X.com.

LOS ANGELES — Le Wand’s Dive submersible wand vibrator is featured in “The 7 Best Sex Toys Sexperts Want You to Stash In Your Nightstand” roundup from InStyle.

In the feature, InStyle writer Francesca Krempa spoke to certified sex educators and sexologists to create a list of “Top Picks.”

“The Le Wand Dive lives up to its name and is sure to help you reach new depths of pleasure — it’s fully waterproof, ultrapowerful and ergonomically curved to hit all the right angles,” Krempa said.

In the article, Dive is also recommended by certified sex and relationship psychotherapist Gigi Engle, who said the device offers power and reliable orgasms. 

To read the full article, click here.