Utah’s new law, known as the Online Age Verification Amendments (SB 73), has officially gone into effect. This law targets the use of virtual private networks (VPNs), which are tools that allow users to hide their internet location and access content that might otherwise be blocked. The law aims to ensure that adult websites cannot bypass age-verification checks by using such tools. However, enforcement of the law has been temporarily paused due to a legal challenge from Aylo, the parent company of the popular adult website Pornhub. The law was originally scheduled to take effect in May, but its implementation was delayed after Aylo filed a lawsuit against it in federal court. The Utah Department of Commerce has stated that enforcement will remain on hold until a federal judge rules on the case. A recent court hearing did not provide a clear timeline for when a decision might be made, leaving the law’s future uncertain. SB 73 seeks to close a legal gap that has allowed adult websites to avoid age-verification requirements by using tools like VPNs or proxy servers to mask their users’ locations. The law also prohibits such websites from providing instructions on how to use a VPN to bypass age checks. This measure is intended to protect minors from accessing inappropriate content by ensuring that websites are responsible for verifying the age of their users. Aylo has been a strong opponent of age-verification laws across the country. The company argues that the law sets an unrealistic technical standard and raises serious privacy concerns. In the past, Aylo has removed Pornhub from several states to avoid compliance with similar regulations. Meanwhile, privacy advocates and digital rights organizations have warned that the law could lead to invasive age-verification practices for users worldwide, not just in Utah. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has expressed concern that the law might result in widespread identity checks or restrictions on using VPNs, potentially affecting millions of users. For now, the law remains in legal limbo. The outcome of the ongoing lawsuit will determine whether the law remains in place or is modified. Until then, users in Utah who rely on VPN services may continue to access adult content without immediate legal consequences.