Tech Opposes CSAM Bill as Senate Judiciary Preps Markup

Congress should enact legislation to improve prosecution of crimes involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) instead of advancing bills that affect tech industry liability, the Computer & Communications Industry Association said Monday. CCIA sent a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee with CTA, NetChoice and various trade groups opposing the Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies (Earn It) Act. The committee is to mark up the legislation Thursday (see 2304200032). TechNet, the Software & Information Industry Association, Chamber of Progress, ACT|The App Association and Engine also signed the letter. “As the technology sector makes millions of CSAM referrals each year that result in only a small percentage of indictments, we encourage Congress to enact legislation to increase the number of prosecutions of bad actors,” said CCIA President Matt Schruers. Threatening companies that “partner with law enforcement with legal liability would result in more dangerous content online,” he said. The bill would also weaken incentives for maintaining strong encryption standards, said CCIA.