By Michael McGrady Jr
October 13, 2026 · 3:34 PM·2 min read
SALT LAKE CITY—A federal district judge has agreed to pause a lawsuit challenging a controversial Utah law targeting the use of virtual private networks to circumvent the state's age verification statute, pending a legislative fix closing the loophole.
According to a joint filing from the state of Utah and the suing company, Pornhub's parent company, Aylo, both have agreed to stall litigation challenging the VPN prohibition. Justification, per court documents, is for the Utah state legislature to clarify the provisions in question: whether virtual private networks can be prohibited in the enforcement of age verification laws, or what the state defines as "deemed location."
"In light of the Court’s recent ruling regarding [Senate Bill (SB)] 73, the parties anticipate that the Utah Legislature may consider amending the statute," reads the joint filing made by attorneys for both Aylo and the Utah Attorney General's Office.
The lawyers reference a recent decision made by U.S. District Judge David Barlow of the District of Utah, granting a preliminary injunction in favor of Aylo that initially blocked the enforcement of SB 73.
"Rather than continuing to litigate Plaintiffs’ claims against the current version of SB 73, the parties therefore agree that staying further proceedings in this case would be the most efficient course for both the parties and the Court to see what, if any, amendments the Legislature makes to the provision of SB 73 challenged in this case," the attorneys argued. Judge Barlow accepted the motion, delaying litigation until after the Utah state legislature adjourns next year, according to court documents AVN recently reviewed.
Lawrence Walters, an attorney representing adult entertainment industry clients, told AVN that he finds this development "sensible."
"Rather than forcing continued litigation over a provision both sides appear to recognize may need revision, the parties’ joint request for a stay allows the legislature an opportunity to address the technical and legal realities of the internet," Walters said.
"Perfect geolocation does not exist, and laws that ignore that fact risk imposing extraterritorial burdens, chilling protected speech, and creating unworkable compliance obligations for platforms," he added. "We hope Utah lawmakers use this pause to repeal the law, and potentially craft a more carefully tailored approach that respects both legitimate child-protection goals and the First Amendment rights of adult creators, platforms, and consenting adults. Any age verification mandate must be constitutionally sound and technologically realistic."
Corey Silverstein, another adult industry attorney, shared this sentiment in an email to AVN. Silverstein said, "Pausing this case gives Utah lawmakers an opportunity to correct a provision that demands more than websites can reliably deliver.
"A website operator should not face liability simply because a user conceals their location through a VPN," Silverstein explained. "Protecting minors is a legitimate objective, but it does not give Utah unlimited authority to impose its requirements on internet users around the world."
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Fuente: avn.com
