CEO DATELINE - Tech groups sound alarm on attempt to curb sex trafficking
CEO DATELINE - Tech groups sound alarm on attempt to curb sex trafficking
- August 3, 2017 |
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Walt Williams
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A Senate bill seeking to reduce internet sex trafficking is well-intentioned but ultimately would undermine existing legal protections for legitimate online companies, 10 technology industry associations said in a letter to lawmakers Wednesday.
The Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act of 2017 would give law enforcement broader powers to pursue charges against websites or online services that profit from enabling sex trafficking. The legislation is the culmination of a two-year Senate investigation into the online classifieds service Backpage.com, which has been accused of actively courting ads for child prostitution, the New York Times reported. http://nyti.ms/2u41YTN
In their letter, the 10 groups said the existing law the bill seeks to amend—the Communications Decency Act—is "a bedrock legal protection for online services" that is already sufficient to hold bad actors accountable.
"New legislation is not necessary to hold rogue actors accountable for participation in illegal activity," the groups said.
In a separate statement, Computer & Communications Industry Association CEO Ed Black said proposed changes to the Communications Decency Act would have the opposite effect by discouraging online services from developing strategies to fight online crime.
"The amendment would increase liability for legitimate companies and undermine existing efforts they are making to help detect criminal behavior, as those efforts could subject them to additional legal liabilities," Black said.
Internet Association CEO Michael Beckerman released his own statement calling the bill "overly broad and will be counterproductive in the fight to combat human trafficking." He echoed Black in saying the legislation would open up online companies to lawsuits.
"The bill also jeopardizes bedrock principles of a free and open internet, with serious economic and speech implications well beyond its intended scope," Beckerman added.
In addition to CCIA and IA, other signatories are CompTIA, Interactive Advertising Bureau, Internet Commerce Coalition, Internet Infrastructure Coalition, NetChoice, Software & Information Industry Association, Tech: NYC and The Internet Society. http://bit.ly/2u7xeW5
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