i2Coalition Joins Letter Of Opposition to Communication Decency Act/Section 230 Amendment. UPDATED With Additional Support

We’ve signed onto a letter condemning the proposed amendment to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA230), the “Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act“. Crucial protection for legitimate online platforms, such as websites, ISPs, web-hosting providers, and online advertisers, would be critically undermined, making it counterproductive to combating trafficking crimes. The i2Coalition joins the letter’s signees in stating that the bill would allow opportunistic entities to investigate and pursue legitimate, legal intermediaries for political or monetary gain. The bill would also discourage ISPs and Internet platforms from investing in new innovative tools to self-police trafficking, for fear it would implicate liability.

“Bills such as this create undue burdens for an industry that drives online commerce and a significant portion of our economy, while simultaneously not solving the issues they are created to fix. This will not protect vulnerable minors, instead of allowing for nefarious interference and inquiries.” Stated i2Coalition Co-Founder, Board, and Policy Chair David Snead.

The bill was introduced by Senators Robert Portman (R-OH), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), John Cornyn (R-TX), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), John McCain (R-AZ), and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), with Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) agreeing to sign on as well.

Additional signees include CompTIA, Computer and Communications Industry Association, Interactive Advertising Bureau, Internet Association, Internet Commerce Coalition, NetChoice, Software & Information Industry Association, Tech:NYC, and The Internet Society.

The letter can be found here or embedded below.

https://i2coalition.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/S1693-Association-Letter-08-02-2017.pdf

UPDATE: Additional Support

How One Bill Could Forever Alter the Internet Landscape – Niskanen Center

A new piece of legislation could spell big trouble for the Internet. Last week, Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) introduced the ” Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act of 2017 ,” or SESTA. While devised with the best intentions, as the name suggests, this bill would effectively undermine the intermediary liability protections afforded by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) .

Rewriting the Roadmap to Innovation

Since it went commercial roughly 20 years ago, the internet has become a part of our daily lives, from entertainment to shopping to social networking. Today’s internet is a vibrant global network connecting more than 3.5 billion users worldwide through 224 million websites.

A new bill to fight sex trafficking would destroy a core pillar of internet freedom

A bill that would carve a significant chunk out of Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act – decades-old regulations that function as the internet’s liability shield – has been introduced in the Senate, with six co-sponsors from across the aisle.

Section 230 Matters. Protect Internet Safe Harbors.

Tell Congress to stop SESTA and protect the safe harbors that make internet innovation possible.

 

Joint Letter on Free Speech Concerns with S.1693, the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act

The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Chuck Schumer Minority Leader United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 4 August 2017 Dear Majority Leader McConnell and Minority Leader Schumer, We, the undersigned human rights and civil liberties organizations, write to convey our significant concern with S.1693, the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA), which was introduced earlier this week.

Why State Regulation of Online Services Threatens the Internet Economy – Disruptive Competition Project

As by Professor Eric Goldman and others, Congress is again considering problematic legislation to undermine what WIRED Magazine “the most important law in tech”: Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act ( ).

Tech Industry Warns About Unintended Consequences Of Proposed Changes To Reduce Human Trafficking

Washington – Proposed changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act could have broad, unintended consequences for internet services, online platforms and websites. The Computer & Communications Industry Association appreciates the goal of reducing human trafficking, but is concerned the exact changes being proposed would do little to rein in the worst offenders, while subjecting legitimate companies to increased liability.

Tech Associations Send Letter To Senators About Problems With Proposed Changes CDA-230

Washington – CCIA joined nine other associations in a letter to senators about the unintended consequences of legislation to update Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. While associations support their goal of shutting down organizations like Backpage that facilitate human trafficking, the proposed bill would ensnare legitimate companies.

Engine’s Statement on the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act

The following statement can be attributed to Engine Executive Director, Evan Engstrom: “Efforts to roll back the critical protections for websites in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act are gravely concerning to the startup community.