9th Circuit Denies Rehearing in Twitter Child Sexual Abuse Material Case

NCOSE Press Statement logo

Survivors to Seek Review from the U.S. Supreme Court

WASHINGTON, DC (June 12, 2023) – The National Center on Sexual Exploitation Law Center, The Haba Law Firm, and The Matiasic Firm responded to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which denied an en banc hearing request of its May ruling in John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 v. Twitter, Inc.

“In May, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals became the first federal appellate court to rule that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act gives technology companies immunity for  knowing violations of child pornography laws. Now, the Ninth Circuit has decided not to rehear that ruling in the case of John Does #1 and #2 v. Twitter.

“Twitter reviewed obvious child sex abuse material (“CSAM”) (also known as child pornography). Twitter then told one of the children victimized in the CSAM that it would not remove it. As a result of Twitter’s callousness, CSAM of two 13-year-old boys spread like wildfire on Twitter.

“Twitter has never challenged these facts. Instead, from the beginning of this case Twitter has argued that it is 100% immune from civil liability because of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. But Congress never intended to give technology companies immunity for knowing violations of the laws protecting victims of child pornography and sex trafficking. Already, technology companies are citing this case to justify their violations of child pornography laws nationwide. The legal team for John Doe #1 and John Doe #2 will continue to seek justice and accountability on their behalf by seeking review from the United States Supreme Court.”

More information can be found at: https://endsexualexploitation.org/twitter/.

About The Haba Law Firm, P.A.  
The Haba Law Firm is a law firm in Greater Orlando area of Florida, that provides excellence in civil litigation on behalf of human trafficking and sexual abuse survivors. Haba Law prides itself on its aggressive and effective representation, honesty, and trauma-informed, victim centered advocacy. The unparalleled knowledge and experience with human trafficking and sexual abuse has resulted in partner Lisa Haba receiving numerous awards and recognitions for her work with survivors of human trafficking and sexual abuse. 
 
About National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) 
Founded in 1962, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) is the leading national non-partisan organization exposing the links between all forms of sexual exploitation such as child sexual abuse, prostitution, sex trafficking and the public health harms of pornography.

About The Matiasic Firm
The Matiasic Firm is an award-winning law firm based in California dedicated to providing the highest caliber trial advocacy to victims of sexual abuse, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries. The firm is perennially lauded for its unrivaled acumen in these areas and its record-setting results, as the firm has garnered the highest recovery across three different categories of cases and four separate jurisdictions. The firm is regularly called upon to prosecute the highest-profile, socially impactful cases.

The Numbers

300+

NCOSE leads the Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation with over 300 member organizations.

100+

The National Center on Sexual Exploitation has had over 100 policy victories since 2010. Each victory promotes human dignity above exploitation.

93

NCOSE’s activism campaigns and victories have made headlines around the globe. Averaging 93 mentions per week by media outlets and shows such as Today, CNN, The New York Times, BBC News, USA Today, Fox News and more.

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