The state of Utah is looking to pass a law that would filter pornography.
There’s a new law on the block in Utah, and it’s looking to ensure that all phones and tablets in the state filter porn. The Verge reports that in the next week, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox will decide on whether or not to sign the bill, which passed the legislature earlier this month, into law. Cox said he would “carefully consider” signing it by its March 25 deadline.
The bill, titled Utah’s H.B. 72, would require active adult filters on all smartphones and tablets sold in Utah. The Verge reports. However, phone makers would give buyers a passcode to disable the filter. If the filter isn’t automatically turned on when a person buys the device, they could be held responsible if a minor somehow accesses it. The penalty would be a fine of $10 per incident.
But, the law would only take effect if five other states pass the same law. If five others don’t pass the law by 2031, then the law will fall into sunset. As of now, Utah is the only state that has taken up the legislation. “We don’t know of any other states who are working on any plans right now,” says Electronic Frontier Foundation media relations director Rebecca Jeschke.
In the meantime, most devices offer parental controls. However, most devices do not have safety filters automatically turned on as a default setting.
