SESTA/FOSTA Law Passage > What it means for TAG?

TAG Manager

TAG Manager

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In case you've kept your head buried in the sand, you may not have heard about this new legislation making its way into law in the United States.

Article:
https://www.theverge.com/2018/3/21/17147688/senate-sesta-fosta-vote-anti-sex-trafficking

Bill/Text:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1865

Basically, it's meant to target trafficking and in the overall picture, punish and/or prevent online services from promoting escorting or related sex businesses.

I'm honestly not sure if this has any impact on TAG, but some of our 3rd party service providers probably fall under this legislation but again, we're in Japan and operating as a Japan business where this is legal.

For the time being, we will continue operating as-is but will consider backup plans in the event that we have to deal with 3rd party service interruptions as a result of this new law that will probably be signed by president Trump.

This has been brought up extensively on Twitter and other sites that will feel more of an impact. This also impacts (greatly) escorts that work abroad and will face difficulties with finding services that will allow escort type services. (website, email, phones, etc.) which will impact their work directly. Again, since many services are U.S. based, people will looking for better options that have nothing to do with a company operating under U.S. law.

We (TAG) are completely in support of blocking those people who profit on the backs of those being trafficked. However, we don't support the complete censorship of the business which places sex workers in the eye of danger when certain tools are restricted due to this legislation.

Anyway, we will watch to see what happens and also be prepared to adjust our service as needed to assure that things continue at a business-as-usual level.

Thank you.
 
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Hopefully TAG stays safe.

I’m a little worried about our (providers) websites.. those of us who use Squarespace since they seem to be based in NYC.

I don’t know how these bills will help stop sex trafficking, though. They are just making it harder to find and protect the real victims.
 
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TAG Manager said:
probably be signed by president Trump
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I wouldn't count on him signing that. I would think it would enter "awaiting approval limbo".

I mean... how's he going to find his next wife if he signs off on that one?
 
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Also, if the hosting company is an American one, you may not be out of the woods yet? Microsoft is fighting a battle against US government on data stored overseas all the way to the SCOTUS. ICE or FBI might still be able to take over the domain even if not the data. You know how it is, take first, return later. Might want a secondary domain that's not COM/NET/ORG.
 
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CityVibe has been shut down, as well as the advertising sections for US cities on The Erotic Review. One of my sugar baby friends also shared this on IG. Craigslist is removing their “Personals” section.


2F19A979-0B06-4E59-9679-417D060536CE.jpeg
 
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As far as TAG is concerned, all of our primary data is operated and stored in Japan.
We are of of course looking at contingency plans for things like our domain name and other ancillary services that touch american companies.

The reality is, we should be left alone since we operate in Japan with different laws and the fact that the majority of services we discuss are in fact legal.

Anyway... we will be vigilant, as always.
 
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MissInsomnia said:
CityVibe has been shut down, as well as the advertising sections for US cities on The Erotic Review. One of my sugar baby friends also shared this on IG. Craigslist is removing their “Personals” section.


View attachment 7112
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Japan's is still intact. :)
 
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FWIW - I just had a conversation with a DH provider who has multiple shops and websites with .COM domains, etc. -- The overall consensus is that we're not concerned about the domain names. If the U.S. thinks they can bully the rest of the world with domain name issues, then they are sorely mistaken. (Again, we're all Japan-based, but I think we'll need to make some adjustments to make it absolutely clear.)

What a freaking nuisance.
 
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TAG Manager said:
FWIW - I just had a conversation with a DH provider who has multiple shops and websites with .COM domains, etc. -- The overall consensus is that we're not concerned about the domain names. If the U.S. thinks they can bully the rest of the world with domain name issues, then they are sorely mistaken. (Again, we're all Japan-based, but I think we'll need to make some adjustments to make it absolutely clear.)

What a freaking nuisance.
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They should realize that not every country has the same laws as them.
 
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And bullies they are...
They'll just find some obscure law to cut the head off the cobra (as Metallica said "keep one eye open," Chris!) via some federal law prohibiting aiding and abetting prostitution through website traffic "partially" routed through the U.S. All 'in spite' that the services never came close to being delivered on U.S. soil.

My brother had a case where the prosecutors spent $60,000 on a backdated chemical ink analysis for a tax return the claimant said he did a few years prior. But the ink chemistry was from later years. The owed taxes were just under 15k.
 
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Tabanico said:
We are truly through the looking glass. I guess trump doesn't need sites like Craigslist to procure his escorts
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The world of the riches is different from the commoners. I just recently found out there's such thing as Club 33 (not really that extreme, but hey, don't judge me). He probably has multiples ways to get what he wants, although the recent NDA/scandal did expose something funny I would say. Ready my popcorns.
 
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I'm back in the states right now. And, its a very "sad" day due to the federal law passing. Many of the hobby sites are already gone the day after the law passed.
Some like TER as many of you know have taken down the touring ads section except for Canada since its legal there.

Per chatter from several monger boards it's only going to get "worse"!
 
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I've heard a lot about it on Twitter. I understand providing such services is illegal in France but anyway all the agencies / encounters websites are operating from abroad.
I am wondering how can US control the activity of websites in Russia advertising US providers?
Sounds to me the business will adjust quickly.
 
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Bob said:
I'm back in the states right now. And, its a very "sad" day due to the federal law passing. Many of the hobby sites are already gone the day after the law passed.
Some like TER as many of you know have taken down the touring ads section except for Canada since its legal there.

Per chatter from several monger boards it's only going to get "worse"!
Click to expand...

Censorship at its finest. Coupled with the FCC removing net neutrality back in december things look dire for hobbyists in the US. Time to move!
 
It's easy to imagine that SA be the next but, theoretically this law can bring down any dating site...
 
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