{"id":106656,"date":"2024-05-20T15:19:47","date_gmt":"2024-05-20T13:19:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ondatolive.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=106656"},"modified":"2026-03-12T17:28:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T14:28:27","slug":"utah-age-verification-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ondato.com\/pl\/blog\/utah-age-verification-law\/","title":{"rendered":"Utah Age Verification Law: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In response to new age verification laws in the United States, many websites featuring adult content must adopt updated verification methods in order to protect young people. This article delves into Utah’s age verification laws, the reactions to these regulations, and how affected companies can implement suitable age assurance measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Senate Bill 287<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In May 2023, Senate Bill 287<\/a> was enacted, imposing new requirements on commercial entities, such as social media companies and adult content websites that publish adult material. The bill specifies:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Liability for Age Verification<\/strong>: Any commercial entity that knowingly distributes material harmful to minors must implement reasonable age assurance methods<\/a>. Failure to do so makes them liable for damages resulting from a minor’s access to such material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Data Retention<\/strong>: Entities or third parties verifying age must not retain identifying information after granting access to the material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Legal Repercussions<\/strong>: Entities violating these requirements will face liability for damages, court costs, and attorney fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Data Retention Penalties<\/strong>: Entities retaining identifying information unlawfully are liable for damages and associated legal costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Exemptions<\/strong>: News or public interest broadcasts, reports, and events are exempt. Internet service providers and similar entities are not liable for merely providing access or connections to the material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Utah<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Age Verification Methods<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

ID-based Age Verification<\/strong>: This method requires users to submit their identity document and a photo for biometric comparison<\/a>, ensuring secure and swift verification. Ondato\u2019s ID verification system<\/a>, for example, completes this process in under 60 seconds with zero fraud tolerance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Different<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Age Estimation<\/a><\/strong>: These tools minimise the need for identity documents by using face biometric data to categorise users into age groups. Ondato\u2019s system typically onboard most users without additional documents, requesting IDs only when necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Public and Industry Reactions to Senate Bill 287<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since Utah’s law passed, it has had mixed responses from various sources, facing scrutiny and motions to appeal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In May 2023, the Free Speech Coalition, an unnamed attorney, two online writers, and an online sex education platform called Deep Connection Technologies, sued<\/a> Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Jess Anderson and Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe act violates the First Amendment in several respects,\u201d the plaintiffs argue, claiming it imposes a content-based restriction on protected speech<\/strong>, unconstitutionally labels and stigmatises websites as adult businesses, and requires an approval process for providing protected expression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the plaintiffs assert that the law violates the 14th Amendment and burdens interstate commerce by restricting the ability of online content providers to communicate with Utah residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, a federal judge has dismissed these concerns in favour of the bill<\/strong>. As Senate Bill 287 still stands, companies affected by it must adopt reliable age verification<\/a> methods. The law’s stringent requirements and penalties necessitate careful implementation to avoid legal repercussions and protect user privacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Appeal<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Senate Bill 152: Social Media Age Regulation in Utah<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to age verification on adult sites, on October 15, 2023, Utah proposed rules under S.B. 152 to regulate social media companies. Signed earlier in the year, the bill requires social media platforms to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Accurately verify the ages of social media users.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Obtain parental consent for minors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Provide written confirmation of the age verification method and its results within 72 hours.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Suspend any social media account belonging to a minor until parental consent is obtained, using verification methods outlined in the Children\u2019s Online Privacy Protection Act.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Report: Age Verification Regulations Around the World<\/h2>\n\n\n\n