United States — Closed
SESTA / FOSTA
We regret to announce that advertising from the United States is no longer available on Escortling. The U.S. Congress passed the Stop Enabling Sex Trafficking Act (SESTA), also known as the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act (FOSTA), which makes it possible for the U.S. government to criminally prosecute websites for content posted by their users.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience, but we do not believe Escortling has any other choice as long as this law remains in effect.
What the law says
Under 18 U.S.C. § 2421A(a), anyone who owns, manages, or operates an interactive computer service with the intent to promote or facilitate prostitution faces fines and up to 10 years imprisonment.
Under subsection (b), the penalties increase to up to 25 years if the conduct involves five or more persons, or if there is reckless disregard that such conduct contributed to sex trafficking in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1591(a).
The law applies broadly to any website operating "in or affecting" interstate or foreign commerce. Courts have held that advertising services on the internet is sufficient to establish conduct "in commerce" (United States v. Baston, 818 F.3d 651, 664, 11th Cir. 2016), and that conduct in commerce necessarily affects commerce as well (Citizens Bank v. Alafabco, Inc., 539 U.S. 52, 56, 2003).
Report trafficking
If you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, please contact the authorities immediately. We provide country-specific hotlines, organizations, and resources to help.
View resourcesIf you have any questions, please contact us and we will do our best to help.