Google and Facebook Fret Over Anti-Prostitution Bill’s Fallout
- Measure said to boost risk for putting users’ content online
- Backers say narrow bill aimed at Backpage won’t harm internet
Backpage.com CEO Carl Ferrer, former owner James Larkin, COO Andrew Padilla, and former owner Michael Lacey, are sworn-in on Capitol Hill in Washington, prior to testifying before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee., Jan. 10, 2017.
Photographer: Cliff Owen/APGoogle and Facebook Inc. are among companies opposing a Senate bill aimed at squelching online trafficking of children, a stance that makes the Silicon Valley giants uneasy allies of a website accused of providing an advertising platform for teen prostitution.
The companies and tech trade groups say online providers will face greater liability for speech and videos posted by users if U.S. lawmakers move against Backpage.com and its online classified ads. Bill supporters disagree, saying the measure creates a narrow exception to deter lawbreakers and won’t harm the internet.