Can FOSTA be used to shut down nearly any discussion based web site?
Electronman
Too much of a good thing is never enough
Hypothetically speaking, what would happen if people started posting sexually themed commentary (e.g., escort reviews, strip club reviews, anything that could remotely imply sex trafficking even if it was a fictional report, etc.) on the discussion board of web sites that were presumably devoted to religion, politics, etc. Could a string of those postings be used to shut down the web site of politicians (or religious or feminist organizations) that championed and voted for FOSTA?
I post this hypothetical question because some poorly conceived legislation can have side effects that are unintended-- and exposing those unintended side effects may be a good mechanism to point out the adverse impact of FOSTA on free speech.
Got something to say?
Start your own discussion
15 comments
But here it the flip to that. Say someone starts posting on a religious forum. First you would probably get a warning, then your account would get banned. Then your IP. (I forget what it is called and it maybe blocked now. It was a network protocol tied to info that allowed your connection to be I.D.) But if they really got tired of that person then they would just reporting them.
Still wondering when escorts will hit the dating sites. Just an interest, escorts were never my thing. but it piss me off when you chat it up with someone and then they hit you up. And I am laughing right now over all the nurses in Genea.
Fighting a bad law requires logic and getting the word out. For example, this article describing why SESTA actually hurts trafficking victims:
https://blog.ericgoldman.org/archives/20…
"it stands to reason that victims whose services are advertised in more visible places, like Backpage, are more visible to everyone — and thus easier to recover. In this way, Backpage sets a trap for traffickers: lured by the prospect of reaching a large, centralized repository of customers, traffickers end up revealing themselves to law enforcement and victim advocates. There’s nothing to suggest that Backpage causes them to be victimized, but plenty of reason to believe that, without it, they would be much harder to find. "
AFF has a few new ones, from the profiles"
"Spoil me I will spoil you"
"Cream pie cutie ready to hook up now! Text me for details don't miss out on my hot sexy ass, I will bring you to sensual heaven! Lets go!"
Yeah, I should have join a gym 6 months ago. Or maybe joined a church you know those religious women are closet freaks.
I'd argue that the side effects are not unintended --- the progressive left is pushing the narrative that women are victims and government needs to take care of them, the religious right is afraid of demographic shifts that are making them less relevant. Both side have a common weapon in their arsenal to achieve their goals. The left will use the courts and media to try and sway the interpretation their way and the bible belt will use the churches and "up standing" politicians to sway the interpretation. It is a win/win for both of the extremes. Both far ends of the political spectrum want a large government, the only difference is the desired outcomes of a large intrusive government. But both side have a vested interest in limiting "free speech" to push their agendas.
It will come down to the courts, and regulatory bureaucracies to see which if either sided wins the battle or the "side effects" are too onerous for the American people.
_________
Probably some truth to that and two feminist senators were outspoken supporters. Beyond that, I doubt there's any "vested interest in limiting free speech." The bill was started by Portman, who's one of those dim guys who conflate sex work with trafficking. He introduced a bill with "stop enabling sex trafficking" in the title. Whether or not bill actually accomplishes that, it's impossible to vote against without looking like a monster. Much easier for the other senators to vote in favor, keep their job, and let the courts sort it out.
And yes my Senator Mr. Portman is part of the problem in DC. Dim is a spot on assessment of his abilities. The man was made to follow the party line of whatever the polls tell him should be his position. He stands for nothing but his own self interest, just my opinion. As much as I disagree with Sherrod Brown, he does stand up for his ideology and is unapologetic.
Calida, 35, is a Chicago-based sex worker who has depended on websites that host classified ads, such as Craigslist and Backpage.com, to meet and screen clients. But the US government’s recent crackdown on those platforms has abruptly eliminated many workers’ primary source of income, forcing some to turn to the streets or to rely on abusive pimps, greatly increasing the risk of violence.
“Girls are going back to the streets and they are going to die in the streets, and nobody cares,” said Calida, a mother of two, who said she used to do street work and fears she will have to start again to make ends meet. “Everybody is terrified.”