The loss of erotica rankings on Amazon and other book retailers, as well as pulling of personal ads on dating sites, Craigslist and dozens of other websites is apparently the result of the SEPTA/FOSTA legislation overwhelmingly passed by both houses of the American Congress by both parties. Amazon and dozens of other websites/companies are preemptively taking action because of the broadly vague language contained in this legislation that's supposed to deter sex trafficking. While the American president hasn't yet signed this legislation into law, he's expected to do so in the coming days. The ACLU and other organizations espousing victims' rights with respect to sex trafficking victims have condemned this legislation as nonspecific and useless. It's a violation of the First Amendment for Amazon or any other website to curtail freedom of expression in any way. The ACLU is already preparing lawsuits all companies who have used this legislation as an excuse to remove erotica categories and rankings, as well as removal of personal ads or similar information on dating and other websites. The ACLU is also preparing a separate lawsuit to be filed once the president signs the legislation into law as being unconstitutional under the First Amendment.
