If you’ve been seeing dramatic headlines claiming the government is coming for online porn with a “sledgehammer” or that adult websites are about to be shut down—take a breath.
We’re here to clear things up:
🛑 Nothing has changed
🛑 You’re not in trouble
🛑 This is recycled panic to drive clicks—not reality
Let’s talk about what’s actually going on—and how you can keep creating safely and confidently.
🧠 Where Is All This Panic Coming From?
A lot of the noise is about a bill called the Interstate Obscenity Definition Act, introduced back on May 9, 2024, by Senator Mike Lee (Utah) and Representative Mary Miller (Illinois).
It was pitched as a way to:
- Redefine what counts as “obscene” content on the internet
- Update the Miller Test (from 1973) to apply to modern online material
- Give the federal government more power to go after porn shared across state lines or from other countries
And yes—articles are now recirculating that info with over-the-top language like:
“Seeks to take a sledgehammer to the porn industry”
“Could wipe out online adult content”
“Major blow to creators”
But here’s the truth…
🗓️ The Bill Is Old News And Nothing Has Moved
This bill was introduced over a year ago. Since then:
- It has not passed
- It hasn’t even made it through committee
- No laws have changed
- No creators have been prosecuted under it
The law is the same today as it was before that headline hit your feed, again!
📰 Why These Headlines Are Pure Clickbait
Articles like this aren’t new. They get recycled every few months because fear spreads fast, especially when it involves sex work, porn, and free expression.
The language is designed to make you panic and share:
- “Sledgehammer”
- “Wiped out”
- “Porn ban incoming”
None of it reflects what’s actually happening. It’s outrage bait to drive clicks, not legal guidance.
✋ So… What Should You Actually Be Doing?
Instead of panicking, here’s what will actually protect your work long-term:
✅ 1. Own Your Platform
If you’re using LinkTree-style pages or relying on third-party platforms to host links, you’re playing on someone else’s terms.
Build your own website. Control your content. Set your own rules.
👉 Need help with that? Automate Horizon builds adult-friendly sites designed for creators like you
✅ 2. Keep Your Homepage Clean(ish)
You don’t need to censor yourself—but keeping your public-facing pages safe-for-work helps. Try:
- Blurred thumbnails or teaser images
- Password protection or age gates for explicit content (think paid sites)
- Soft language like “exclusive gallery” instead of graphic terms
✅ 3. Use the Right Payment Processor
PayPal, Stripe, and others can ban your account without warning. They hate the adult industry. Instead, use a payment provider like CCBill—a trusted adult payment processor that supports:
- Personal websites
- Merch stores
- OnlyFans, Fansly, and more
✨ Automate Horizon is partnered with CCBill and can help you get set up for FREE to take online payments, no hidden fees. 👉 Start here
✅ 4. Understand the Law (Don’t Let It Intimidate You)
The current legal standard for “obscenity” comes from the Miller Test, which looks at:
- Whether something is overly sexual
- Whether it’s offensive by community standards
- Whether it has any value (artistic, educational, etc.)
Your artistic nudes, feature dance clips, and spicy selfies?
They don’t suddenly become illegal because someone wrote a bill.
🔗 Learn more about the Miller Test here
💬 Final Word
You’re not breaking the law. You’re not about to lose your content. You don’t need to stress.
What you do need is clarity, control, and a community that actually supports you, and that’s where we come in.
If anything ever does change with the law, we’ll let you know what to do next, minus the panic.
In the meantime?
Keep creating. Keep growing. We’ve got you.
👉 Talk to us if you want to make your site safer, smarter, and 100% yours
