The Interstate Obscenity Definition Act: A New Front in the Battle Over Online Content Regulation

Hive check-in: Let’s dive into today’s narrative.

In May 2025, Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) reintroduced the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act (IODA), a bill aiming to redefine "obscenity" in U.S. law to encompass virtually all sexual content. Supported in the House by Representative Mary Miller (R-IL), the bill seeks to remove key protections from the current Miller test, such as reliance on community standards and patently offensive criteria. Critics argue this could result in sweeping censorship and specifically target transgender expression by equating it with pornography.  

The IODA aligns with Project 2025, a policy framework linked to far-right groups and former President Donald Trump, which frames trans identities and sexual education as pornographic and criminal. While the bill lacks cosponsors and faces uncertain passage, similar anti-pornography measures are advancing in states like Oklahoma. Bipartisan support exists for related bills such as the Kids Online Safety Act. Critics contend these efforts conflate child safety with censorship, threatening free speech and LGBTQ+ visibility under the guise of protecting minors.  

The adult entertainment industry is already feeling the impact. Due to age verification laws passed across 17 U.S. states, Pornhub has withdrawn its services from these regions. These laws mandate pornography websites to verify users’ ages, a requirement Pornhub deems risky when managed by third-party services. Interviewed performers and Pornhub executives voiced concern over the implications for free speech and user safety, warning that such regulations could drive users to unregulated and unsafe platforms.  

As the IODA and similar bills progress, they raise significant questions about the balance between protecting minors and preserving free expression. The debate continues over how to effectively regulate online content without infringing on constitutional rights. 

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