Uncanny Valley | WIRED The Hottest Topic At This Year's Pornhub Awards? Censorship
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May 13, 2025 In this discussion, Manisha Krishnan, Senior Culture Editor at Wired, dives into the challenges facing Pornhub amid rising censorship efforts. She highlights new age verification laws limiting access in many U.S. states and a proposed nationwide ban on pornography. Krishnan recounts her experience at the recent Pornhub Awards, which turned into a celebration of resistance against political scrutiny. The conversation also sheds light on the intersection of tech, politics, and the adult industry, revealing how these factors shape the future of online content.
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Behind the Scenes at Pornhub Awards
- At the Pornhub Awards, performers wore extravagant cowboy-themed costumes, including some edgy designs by Chris Habana.
- They took playful, creepy family-style photos around the hotel and party bus before the informal awards inside the Saddle Ranch Chop House.
Country Theme as Subtle Protest
- Most southern US states have passed age verification laws that block Pornhub, making the country-themed awards feel like subtle trolling.
- The event’s political undertone highlights the ongoing "war on porn" amid growing censorship.
Age Verification Laws Impact Pornhub
- Since 2022, 20 US states imposed age verification on porn sites, leading Pornhub to pull out of those states.
- The verification caused an 80% traffic drop as users avoid ID submission, which might push them to less regulated, riskier sites.