Utah just rolled out strict new rules for sites hosting a significant amount of adult content. Under SB 73, these platforms have to verify the age of every user physically located in Utah—even if that user is hiding their location with a VPN or proxy. Site operators are also specifically banned from helping anyone bypass these checks.

What SB 73 Requires

Any site with adult content now has to run solid age verification for users in Utah. The law puts a big focus on people trying to mask their location: the verification requirement still stands if someone’s using a VPN or proxy. In other words, site operators need systems that can spot when a visitor is actually in Utah, no matter what IP-masking tricks they try.

Penalties and Fines

Breaking these rules comes with hefty penalties—up to $2,500 per violation, both civil and administrative. The law also flat-out bans helping users get around age checks in any way.

User Data Protection

SB 73 puts tight restrictions on how personal data gets handled during age verification. Age verification providers can’t keep any identifying info after access is granted. This is supposed to cut down on leaks and misuse of data while still following the new regulations.