August 2, 2005 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- United States Senator Blanche Lincoln, a Democrat from Arkansas, said last week that he would introduce legislation that places a 25 percent excise tax on all online adult transactions, according to reports.
The Internet Safety and Regulation Act of 2005 would require adult Web sites to run age verification software that would be regulated and enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. As part of the legislation, a fund would be established to help fight Internet and pornography-related crimes against children. It would be financed by the 25 percent excise tax.
According to reports, Senator Lincoln's move to push this legislation was spurred by a report by the advocacy group Third Way, which found children ages 12-17 are the largest group of Internet pornography viewers.
