Through authority granted by the Missouri Consumer Protection Statute, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey announced a new requirement for online pornography sites to verify the age of their users before displaying their content. The new rule, to be published in the Missouri Register on May 1, 2025, is made with the intent of curbing the porn industry’s ability to supply pornography to minors, which is already prohibited by state law.
The new restrictions include mandating online pornography sites to verify the age of their users by requiring users to enter their identification data, while also requiring such data to be immediately deleted after entering in order to protect privacy. The restrictions also require age to be verified on the device used to access the content, acting as an extra shield to protect minors. The new rules will be directly enforceable under the existing state statute prohibiting distribution of pornography to minors.
The new rules occur amidst a recent legislative push to require ID verification to access pornographic websites. The Attorney General’s Office has also established a public complaint process and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance. The full text of the rule can be found here.