U.S. Bill Seeks To Make All Pornography A Federal Offense - 1

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U.S. Bill Seeks To Make All Pornography A Federal Offense

  • Written by Kiara Fabbri Former Tech News Writer
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah has reintroduced a bill that would criminalize pornography at the federal level.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • Senator Mike Lee reintroduced a bill to ban porn federally.
  • Posting arousing sexual content could become a federal crime.
  • This is Lee’s third attempt to pass the bill.

The Interstate Obscenity Definition Act (IODA), backed by Representative Mary Miller of Illinois, aims to redefine what counts as “obscene” under U.S. law, removing current protections that have allowed adult content online.

“Obscenity isn’t protected by the First Amendment,” Lee said in a press release , “but hazy and unenforceable legal definitions have allowed extreme pornography to saturate American society and reach countless children.”

404 Media explains that the bill changes the way courts define obscenity, replacing the long-standing Miller Test—a three-part standard set in 1973.

Instead, it proposes a new definition for the internet era, where any content that “appeals to the prurient interest in nudity, sex, or excretion” and “depicts, describes or represents actual or simulated sexual acts with the objective intent to arouse, titillate, or gratify the sexual desires of a person’’

Critically, IODA removes the current law’s requirement that obscene content must be shared to “abuse, threaten, or harass.” This would mean that simply posting sexual content online for arousal could be a federal crime.

Supporters argue this helps law enforcement crack down on harmful material. “The Interstate Obscenity Definition Act equips law enforcement with the tools they need to target and remove obscene material from the internet,” said Miller. “I’m proud to lead this effort […] to safeguard American families.”

404 Media notes that is Lee’s third attempt to pass the bill, following failed efforts in 2022 and 2024. Its reappearance comes amid rising political pressure from conservative groups like Project 2025, which seeks to eliminate porn entirely, something sex workers and free speech advocates have warned against for years.

Samsung Launches Galaxy S25 Edge, Its Slimmest Flagship Smartphone - 2

Photo courtesy of Samsung

Samsung Launches Galaxy S25 Edge, Its Slimmest Flagship Smartphone

  • Written by Andrea Miliani Former Tech News Expert
  • Fact-Checked by Sarah Frazier Former Content Manager

Samsung released its new Galaxy S25 Edge device this Tuesday. The smartphone is the slimmest flagship model the company has launched to date, featuring advanced AI capabilities and positioned to compete with Apple’s upcoming release.

In a rush? Here are the quick facts:

  • Samsung launches its thinnest flagship model, the Galaxy S25 Edge.
  • The new device is 5.8 mm thick, weighs 163 grams, and includes a Snapdragon Qualcomm chip as well as AI features.
  • The Galaxy S25 Edge rates start at $1,099, and sales will begin on May 23 in South Korea.

According to the press release, the new device is 5.8mm thick, weighs 163 grams, and includes a Galaxy AI-enabled camera, as well as a customized Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Qualcomm chip . Customers can choose from multiple colors—Titanium Icyblue, Titanium Jetblack, and Titanium Silver—and two storage capacities: 256 GB and 512 GB.

“Galaxy S25 Edge is more than a slim smartphone,” said TM Roh, President and Acting Head of the Device eXperience (DX) Division at Samsung Electronics. “The superior engineering that brought this revolutionary smartphone to life illustrates a commitment to overcoming barriers that helps Galaxy deliver truly unexpected premium experiences for people around the world.”

Ready to go beyond slim? 🩵 like this post for updates and join us on May 13, 2025 to check out the slimmest Galaxy S Series ever. #GalaxyAI #GalaxyS25 Edge pic.twitter.com/TSfBdWWxJq — Samsung Mobile (@SamsungMobile) May 7, 2025

The company highlighted the new Galaxy S25 Edge’s camera, which features a 200MP wide lens with a 40% brightness improvement compared to previous Galaxy models, as well as a 12MP ultra-wide sensor with autofocus. The device also offers AI-powered photo editing tools, including Drawing Assist and Audio Eraser.

According to Reuters , experts say Samsung strategically launched the new flagship model today before Apple released its latest model, which is expected to be thinner than previous versions and include special AI-powered features.

“By releasing the product a few months ahead, Samsung could inflict some impact on Apple and attract consumers looking for thinner smartphones. It appears to be a calculated decision to capture that segment of demand,” said Ryu Young-ho, a senior analyst at NH Investment & Securities, to Reuters.

The new device will be available for sale starting at $1,099 on May 23 in South Korea and on May 30 in the United States. Samsung plans to expand Galaxy S25 Edge sales to 30 countries, including those in Europe and China.

Samsung released its Galaxy S25 series —Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+, and Galaxy S25—in January at the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event in California.