Legislation to Ban Online Prostitution Advertising Advances

Legislation to Ban Online Prostitution Advertising Advances

WASHINGTON — A piece of legislation wending its way through Congress could make prostitution advertising a federal crime.

Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee passed a new version of H.R. 1865, a bill that would allow federal authorities the ability to prosecute sites where sex workers advertise and communicate with clients — even if the sexual exchange is only alluded to and never completed.

An updated version of FOSTA (Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act), the bill would pave the way for civil liability, as well, for offending sites.

Yesterday, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte of Virginia said the bill "empowers prosecutors with new tools" to hold human traffickers accountable.

Specifically, the bill, authored by Rep. Ann Wagner of Missouri, would amend Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act, which bars liability for user-generated content.

Industry attorney Lawrence Walters, of Walters Law Group, said that the dismantling of Section 230 under FOSTA could create unforeseen perils for online companies.

“This bill is even more threatening to online innovation than the companion Senate bill, SESTA, S. 1693, since it would impose potential criminal liability for reckless conduct, without a showing of actual knowledge of illegal content,” Walters told XBIZ.

“Gutting Section 230 immunity in this way would result in unpredictable risks for sites that permit sexually oriented content,” Walters said. “Efforts to identify and remove illegal content could also lead to liability, which defeats the intent of the legislation.  

“While large operators that can afford advanced artificial intelligence content scanning systems may be able to manage the risks, a law like this will cause smaller sites and start-ups to shut down or never launch,” Walters said. “Overall, this would be a net negative for the marketplace of ideas."

H.R. 1865 is now headed to a full vote in the House of Representatives.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

AEBN Publishes Report on DP Trends

AEBN has published a report on DP and extreme penetration categories from its straight and gay theaters.

Free Speech Coalition Appoints Megan Stokes to Board of Directors

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced today that it has appointed Megan Stokes to its Board of Directors.

FansRevenue Acquires DivaTraffic

FansRevenue has acquired web traffic service DivaTraffic.

AEBN Announces Peter Green as Top Male Boy/Girl Performer for Summer 2025

AEBN has revealed its top 10 male Boy/Girl performers for summer 2025, with Peter Green landing atop the leaderboard.

Spicey AI Relaunches Site, Debuts $Spicey Tokens

Interactive voice chat platform Spicey AI has relaunched its website and introduced $Spicey tokens.

FSC: Missouri Age Verification Rule Will Not Take Effect August 30

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced that Missouri's proposed age verification legislation will not take effect on August 30, as it had originally estimated.

Little Caprice, Marcello Bravo to Co-Host 2025 XMA Europa Awards

XBIZ is pleased to announce that husband-and-wife duo Little Caprice and Marcello Bravo will co-host adult’s biggest night in Europe: the 2025 XMA Europa Awards on Sept. 4, in the epic climax to XBIZ’s fall events series.

Germany Will Block Payments to AV-Noncompliant Adult Sites as of Dec. 1

Starting Dec. 1, Germany will implement new rules prohibiting financial institutions from providing payment services to adult sites deemed to have inadequate age verification systems and making it easier for the government to target websites mirroring the content of such sites.

Jerkmate Joins Pineapple Support as Partner-Level Sponsor

Jerkmate has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Launches Age Verification Toolkit for Adult Websites

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) announced today that it has launched a comprehensive toolkit to help adult websites navigate age verification laws.

Show More