The EARN IT Act of 2022 is an attack on internet privacy that will lead to censorship of sex workers, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalized groups
Despite its proponents claims that the bill is about child safety, the EARN IT Act will actually make kids less safe and discourage platforms from taking action to protect them.
This bill is not just FOSTA/SESTA 2.0. It’s worse.
Call and write to your representatives in the US House and Senate and urge them to oppose the EARN IT Act, Senate Bill 3538/House Bill 6544. Below is a template letter, feel free to tailor it and add your relevant experience or expertise if applicable.
Link to find your representatives.
Dear [Elected Official],
I am a constituent of yours who is concerned about the dangerous potential of Senate Bill 3538/House Bill 6544, the ‘EARN IT’ Act. The EARN IT Act would put children at greater risk of abuse, undermine internet privacy, and lead to mass censorship and the further marginalization of LGBTQ+ people of color. I urge you to oppose it.
The text claims the bill’s purpose is to “prevent, reduce, and respond to the online sexual exploitation of children,” but the EARN IT Act does nothing to address child sexual abuse. What EARN IT would do is give states broad authority to regulate internet content. Complying with these varying regulations across state lines would be virtually impossible. The uncertainty this creates would lead platforms to be overly cautious and censor any content that could relate to sex and minors to minimize their potential liability. This would include sexual health education, LGBTQ+ resources, and even literature that simply contains romantic relationships between minors. Essential information and lifelines for young people would be ripped away.
The EARN IT Act would prevent people from being able to securely communicate online, which makes people less safe. The bill discourages platforms from using end-to-end encryption by exposing them to liability. It would essentially obligate platforms to create backdoors, making all internet communication functionally public. Eliminating secure avenues of communication further isolates victims of abuse and exploitation, a tactic frequently employed by abusers. People trapped in abusive situations, especially children, who have so little agency to begin with, need secure ways to access the resources and support they deserve. Do not take that away.
I urge you to oppose SB 3538/HR 6544 (‘EARN IT’). It is unconstitutional and will put children at greater risk of harm. People need secure means of communication and accessible resources to avoid and escape abuse and exploitation.
Sincerely,
[NAME]
[ADDRESS] (if you feel comfortable to add it)
Read More
Fight for the Future’s No EARN IT Act Petition
The Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School
Electronic Frontier Foundation
Center for Democracy and Technology