LOS ANGELES — TheEroticReview.com today shut down access for U.S. users.
The move to eliminate its sex worker review portal, its operators said, was due to the recent approval of SESTA/FOSTA by Congress. Its closure comes the same day federal authorities shut down Backpage.com.
“As a result of this new law, TER has made the difficult decision to block access to the website from the U.S. until such time as the courts have enjoined enforcement of the law, the law has been repealed or amended, or TER has found a way to sufficiently address any legal concerns created by the new law,” TheEroticReview.com said on its website today. “TER is not alone in responding to this threat to your First Amendment Rights.
"TER will suspend recurring billing for all U.S. monthly subscribers as well as provide a credit to all other U.S. subscribers equal to the period TER remains blocked to U.S. users."
SESTA/FOSTA targets sites that “promote or facilitate” prostitution, even in jurisdictions where prostitution is legal. Individuals operating those sites could face up to 10 years in prison, according to the bill that was sent to President Trump on Tuesday.
Already, SESTA/FOSTA has altered the internet’s landscape in the U.S. and beyond.
CityVibe.com and Nightshift.co closed their sites after passage of the bill, while Craigslist cut its personals listings and Reddit pared its messaging boards. VerifyHim closed its discussion board and mailing list; HungAngels.com removed its forums; YourDominatrix.com, shut down all U.S.-based ads; and Pounced.org closed.
Other reports of closures include MyScarletBook.com and ProvidingSupport.com, along with YellowPages.com, which shut down its escort services and removed ads.
MyFreeCams also changed its “terms of service” to explicitly ban any transaction that involves an offering to meet a site member for tokens.
FetLife.com’s operator eliminated consensual blackmail and financial domination cases.
Google Play also updated its policy to ban explicit content such as “promotional images of sex toys” and “apps that promote escort services.”
Google Drive deleted explicit content and locked out users, and Microsoft’s terms of service were updated, banning the use of “offensive language” and “inappropriate content,” such as nudity that may result in suspensions or bans for users of Skype, Xbox, Office and other services.
