Washington — At a markup Tuesday morning, House Judiciary committee leadership is expected to introduce an amendment to H.R. 1865, the “Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017.” The amendment would provide additional tools to target criminals engaged in sex trafficking and ensure that companies that collaborate in these actions are brought to justice, while preserving a law that tech companies rely on to enable user generated content, posts and information sharing.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association opposes trafficking and exploitation in all forms. We support the amendment, which provides additional tools to fight this crime without discouraging online services’ efforts to stamp out criminal conduct online. The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“As legislation on this important subject moves through the legislative process, it is encouraging that analysis and input from many legitimate and thoughtful parties has continually refined and improved this bill. This amendment would give law enforcement additional tools to bring criminals to justice without discouraging online services from acting in good faith to root out misconduct.
“We are optimistic that final legislation will be focused, effective and provide sustainable tools to respond to the evils of sex trafficking and exploitation.”