A woman has sued Reddit for allowing an ex-boyfriend to repeatedly post pornographic images of her as a 16-year-old. The lawsuit applies controversial measures instituted in 2018 under FOSTA-SESTA to a site that’s drawn particular criticism for child sexualization. The resulting case will test the limits of platforms’ legal shields amid ongoing efforts to pare back the law behind them.
The complaint cites FOSTA-SESTA, an amendment to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, as a central element of the lawsuit. Section 230 provides a broad legal shield for “interactive computer services” like Reddit, limiting their liability if users post illegal content. But the 2018 FOSTA-SESTA bill removed protections for sex trafficking-related material. The lawsuit apparently argues Jane Doe’s case meets that definition because Reddit’s advertising revenue turned the video into a “commercial sex act.”
[FAC NOTE: Wonder if registrants caught in online stings on adult sites can sue the platforms.]
I liked the comment about sueing the platform used to permit a sting. I was using Yahoo messenger in 2007. Terms of service were you had to be 18 or older to use. Was contacted in an adult chatroom on Yahoo with “victim” contacting me first.
Same thing happened to me, Robert, in 2003. I was in an ADULT chat room on AOL and was approached first. But because the other person used language and words of my generation, I knew they were role playing. I paid the price!
Why haven’t they went after the guy for possession that would stop him from posting the pics. Just saying
They may well have gotten him for possession. But that doesn’t mean the victim doesn’t have grounds for a civil suit as well.
Notice the suit is against Reddit, likely because whether he was criminally charged or not, the guy that posted the pics is broke. Or at least doesn’t have the money the suit seeks.
Never forget most lawyers are a lot more interested in money than justice. The ones at FAC, ACSOL, NARSOL, and ACLU are the exceptions, not the rule.
@Tim
Because when you dig where there’s oil and suing the BF is a lost cause monetarily.Seems like this woman just wants to cash in on the waning METOO movement.
Restitution for victims of child pornography is already a matter of law. It is not a ‘movement’ and it predates MeToo.
Jacob, I’m well aware of Title 18, but these laws that encourage and promote perpetual victim-hood ushered in the MeToo trend. It’s just an underhanded form of American capitalism. Another “victim” or “sex” is an exclusive for profit regime America seems to be proud to own.
Why have they not got the guy for possession of the material ? That would put a stop to him posting it. Just saying