The classified ads website Backpage. The banner says, "backpage. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill and advocacy groups have long called for an investigation into Backpage. A spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed to CNN that the website has been seized and that additional information would be made available Friday evening.
However, a judge decided that the federal case should remain sealed on Friday night. No other additional information was provided. A two-year Senate investigation into online sex trafficking found that found that Backpage. After the investigation was published in January , Backpage.
The company has been targeted with several lawsuits over the years, but has been largely protected by Section of the Communications Decency Act, a legal protection that gives a broad layer of immunity to online companies from being held liable for user-generated content. Companies are supposed to act in good faith to protect users, but critics argue the law can be used as a shield.
The law, however, does not, protect sites from federal liability against criminal law, like child-pornography laws. The legislation would create an exception to Section , which would pave the way for victims of sex trafficking to hold websites accountable for facilitating abuse. Two days after the Senate approval, Backpage competitor Craigslist removed its personal ads section. All rights reserved. News National News. Actions Facebook Tweet Email.
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