The Free Speech Coalition is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan Stokes to its Board of Directors. Megan, Partner at NMG Management, has over two decades of leadership experience with companies including Shane’s World, Girlfriends Films, and Reality Kings. At NMG, she helps major online brands expand revenue while supporting independent creators in growing their distribution.

A longtime advocate and respected industry voice, Megan has spoken at global events, mentored women in the adult industry, and championed professional standards that prioritize both growth and worker well-being.

“I’m honored to serve alongside my peers supporting FSC’s mission to protect our rights and build a stronger, more sustainable future,” said Stokes.

She will hold the seat until FSC’s annual board elections in December. Read more about Megan on our blog...

On Tuesday, September 16 at 11am PT, join financial consultant Billy Guan, who specializes in working with adult content creators, and Eve Batelle, a seasoned industry professional, for a second candid conversation about making smart financial decisions. They’ll cover managing investments and taxes, plus the four biggest threats that can derail your financial life while working in the adult industry. Register for the webinar here: https://tinyurl.com/35depb8m

FSC has released a comprehensive guide to help businesses navigate the rapidly changing patchwork of state age verification laws. With half of U.S. states now enacting mandates—each with different thresholds, methods, and penalties—the 185-page toolkit provides plain-language explanations, state-by-state summaries, and practical compliance considerations. It will be updated regularly as new laws emerge and court challenges proceed. The full toolkit is available to FSC members, with an abridged version offered to non-members. 

“Before the Supreme Court ruling, some sites had a DIY version of age verification that blocked users logging on from certain states. But the Free Speech Coalition, the adult industry trade group that was the plaintiff in the Supreme Court case, said companies might still be liable if a user in a state requiring age verification circumvents geographic targeting with a VPN.” Read more on 19th News...

“In the U.S., 25 states have passed laws requiring age verification for adult websites since 2022, according to the Free Speech Coalition, a porn-industry group that has fought the laws in court.” Read more on Washington Post...

Age verification laws continue to produce dangerous unintended consequences. In Mississippi and Tennessee, the blogging platform Dreamwidth is blocking access and teen signups rather than collect sensitive IDs, hitting smaller platforms hardest. In the U.K., noncompliant porn sites are seeing traffic surge while compliant ones face privacy risks. And in France, a major age-check provider was found leaking users’ porn viewing data, exposing how these laws threaten security instead of protecting people. Read more on Reason...

As Trump signals mass deportations, abortion crackdowns, and threats against journalists, experts warn his administration will lean on America’s vast surveillance machinery. WIRED’s new guide outlines steps for at-risk groups and anyone concerned with privacy to secure their digital lives. Recommendations include using end-to-end encrypted apps like Signal, enabling device and cloud encryption, limiting location tracking, browsing with Tor or VPNs, and paying with cash when possible. The message is clear: strengthening personal digital security is not optional, it is urgent. Read more on Wired...