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FOSTA/SESTA

FOSTA (Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act) and SESTA (Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act) are U.S. laws enacted in 2018 aimed at combating online sex trafficking. They amend Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which previously protected websites from legal liability for user-generated content. These laws allow state and federal authorities to hold platforms accountable for facilitating sex trafficking, promoting a crackdown on websites that enable such activities. Critics argue that they can also lead to the removal of safe spaces for sex workers and increased risks for vulnerable individuals.

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    FOSTA-SESTA refers to two laws passed in the U.S. in 2018 aimed at combating online sex trafficking. FOSTA (Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act) allows states to prosecute websites that facilitate sex trafficking, while SESTA (Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act) makes it easier to hold online platforms accountable for user-generated content that promotes such activities. These laws intended to enhance protection for victims but have also raised concerns about limiting free speech and potentially endangering sex workers by pushing their activities offline and into less safe environments.