SESTA Is Signed Into Law by President Trump

April 11, 2018:

In the weeks following the passage of the law, the federal government seizes Backpage.com, where many sexual service advertisements have migrated to different sections of the site. Sex workers are forced back onto the street, facing violence and increasing the power of exploitive third parties. Law enforcement is forced to abandon hundreds of open trafficking investigations that relied upon online evidence removed by the seizures. 

Congress Passes SESTA/FOSTA

February/March 2018:

A package of bills, entitled Stop Enabling Sex Trafficking Act (SESTA), incorporating the House version, Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA), passed the House and the Senate. SESTA/FOSTA modifies Section 230 to remove services providers’ immunity when dealing with civil or criminal crimes related to sex trafficking.

SESTA/‍FOSTA passed despite testimony from the Department of Justice, submitted to Congress in written form, that the act would make it more difficult for law enforcement to prosecute traffickers.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation filed a one-pager against the amendment.