How a Controversial New Sex-Trafficking Law Will Change The Web

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Opponents fear that the Stop Enabling Online Sex Trafficking Act messes with a key ground rule that has allowed the internet to flourish. “Section 230 we’ve been saying for a long time is responsible for creating the modern internet that we know and love—not to say that the current Internet doesn’t have problems,” says India McKinney of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. But, she says, the law provided the “the legal buffer that was needed to create these online communications platforms.” The bill will create an exception Section 230 for enforcing federal and state criminal and civil law related to sex trafficking if a website operator “knowingly” assists, supports, or facilitates sex trafficking. Opponents say the bill will change the way outside content is moderated on the internet, but they don’t agree on how. Some say the “knowingly” standard will push tech companies to stop all moderation efforts for fear of finding something and being held liable. Other say the bill will result in extreme censorship as companies scour their platforms for any content related to sex trafficking, harming sex workers in the process.


How a Controversial New Sex-Trafficking Law Will Change The Web