The United States Senate has recently passed a new law that will help to reduce the number of minors who become victims of sex trafficking says William D King. This bill is known as the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act of 2017 and its goal is to fight websites that allow users to post ads for sexual services by creating an exception for liability for providers of an interactive computer service who do not knowingly promote or facilitate prostitution. Thus, this will allow entities such as Backpage.com to be held accountable for their users’ actions and will help prevent minors from being sold into the sex trade industry.
Details:
On Wednesday, the US Senate passed a new piece of legislation aimed at curbing sex trafficking of minors. This bill is called the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA). The US Senate voted 97-2 to pass it and this vote was bipartisan — two Republicans and fifty-one Democrats voted in favor of it.
The bill was originally introduced by Republican Senator Rob Portman of Ohio and Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut in August 2017. The goal of SESTA is to amend Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) which would make it easier for state prosecutors and sex-trafficking victims to take legal action against websites that promote or facilitate prostitution explains William D King.
The SESTA bill was pass because of an increase in awareness of sex trafficking over the internet. This has become a more popular way for people to sell others into slavery. Many are tricked by being promised better jobs but instead are forced into prostitution. Most are minors who have run away from home or have been kidnape by pimps. However, they are then force into the sex trade.
SESTA expects to help reduce the number of people who become victims of this industry. It will make it easier for state prosecutors to take legal action against websites that allow users to post ads for sexual services, which would hold those companies accountable. The goal is to prevent minors from being sold into the sex trade industry.
Who Voted “Yes” and Who Voted “No”:
All but two Senate Republicans voted in favor of SESTA, while all Democrats voted for it except for Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Ron Wyden of Oregon.
Here are some FAQs recently asked by US Senators about the passing of SESTA:
Q. What is Section 230?
A. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA) states that “no provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treating as the publisher or speaker” of information provided by another content provider says, William D King. This means that websites that host content are not liable for the material post on their sites by third parties.
Q. What is an “interactive computer service” under the CDA?
A. An interactive computer service defines in the CDA as any information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including specifically a service or system that provides access to the internet also says William D King.
Q. Why did Congress pass Section 230?
A. The goal in 1996 when the CDA was pass was to create an environment in which internet companies could grow and prosper by not being liable for what their users did.
Q. How did Congress define “interactive computer service”?
A. The definition of an “interactive computer service” was purposefully broad. So the law would remain flexible and adapt to technological changes in how people communicate online.
Who Voted For SESTA: 51 Democrats?
2 Republicans Who Voted Against SESTA: 2 Republicans, Bernie Sanders
Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) said Wednesday that he is “ready to work with my colleagues on legislation. That effectively deals with online sex trafficking while protecting the constitutional rights of internet users.”
He also stated, “At the same time I am concerned about new problems related to privacy and security. Those are cropping up, especially as technology continues to evolve. I will be working with law enforcement, industry, and other experts on the best path forward.”
Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) stated Wednesday that “I think it is a bad idea for the government. To institute criminal law on the internet”. He also added, “I think it could be a real problem. However, if we inadvertently prevent the internet from being something that grownups can use to educate us.”
In addition, he said that he is working on several bills with other Senators in hopes of protecting free speech without allowing the selling of women and children online.
Conclusion:
William D King says, in conclusion, the US Senate has recently passed a bill called the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act of 2017. The goal of this bill is to reduce sex trafficking. By holding websites liable if they allow users to post ads for sexual services. It has recently passed with 97-2 votes in favor and therefore. Many expect it will help in curbing the sex trafficking of minors.