Internet freedom advocates are concerned about the federal government shutdown of online sites for sex workers in the last week of June as part of investigations into prostitution and money laundering. Writing for the Electronic Freedom Foundation, July 1, 2014, Nadia Kayyali protested that the shutdown was a violation of the workers’ rights to free speech and free association and that the sites are valued as “social media platforms, with discussion boards for users in topics from politics to financial tips. [They also serve] as a resource guide with information ranging from explanations of the law as it pertains to sex work to health information.”
Elizabeth Nolan Brown, Reason, July 14, 2014, echoed EFF concerns holding that the sites enable sex workers to solicit clients while eluding violence and sex trafficking. She argues that shutting down the sites without due process is blatant censorship and should be resisted.