WASHINGTON, DC (January 31, 2022) – The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) called the EARN IT Act the “best piece of tech accountability” after it was reintroduced into the U.S. Senate by Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) today.
The EARN IT Act restores privacy to victims of child sexual abuse material (CSAM, aka child pornography). It also creates a new commission to issue recommendations and guidelines to limit sex trafficking, grooming, and sexual exploitation online.
“With child sexual abuse material (CSAM) exploding on the internet, tech companies should eradicate it from their platforms. But tech companies currently have no incentive to prevent or eliminate CSAM. The EARN IT Act is the best piece of tech accountability legislation to ensure tech companies do the right thing,” said Dawn Hawkins, CEO of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation.
“We are pleased that this updated EARN IT Act addresses others’ concerns about encryption. But most importantly, this bill will ensure that tech companies finally address, prevent, and end this horrific criminality. Tech has the capability of doing so but needs Congress to hold it accountable,” Hawkins said.
A New York Times investigation revealed that 70 million CSAM images were reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2019, and called this an “almost unfathomable” increase in criminal behavior.
For more information, visit https://endsexualexploitation.org/earnit/. Follow updates on social media: #detect2protect #endchildabuseonline #protectkidsonline
