Free Speech Coalition and a group of sex workers, producers and industry advocates met with UK Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the member of the House of Lords charged with conducting a full review of the country’s pornography laws. Baroness Burton reached out to FSC Executive Director Alison Boden in January, asking if the organization would participate in a discussion as part of the government’s Independent Pornography Review.

The Review’s Call for Evidence — a request for stakeholders to weigh in — says it seeks “to shed light on the associations between the pornography industry and the abuse, exploitation and trafficking that may pervade it.”

During the meeting, FSC implored the Review to focus on facts, not headlines. We challenged assumptions made suggesting that the adult industry was engaged in illegal activity, or that illegal content — such as revenge porn and CSAM — was tolerated or permitted on adult platforms. Most of all, we pressed for on-going discussions with workers and other stakeholders in the industry.

FSC was joined at the roundtable by representatives of Sex Workers Union, Adult Industry Association (AIA), UK Adult Producers (UKAP), Pineapple Support, and obscenity lawyer Miles Jackman, among others. We look forward to continuing the discussion with our allies, partners and the members of the Review team.

“While we’re certainly wary of the way the debate is being framed, it’s crucial to have a seat at the table,” says Boden. “We were glad to be invited and given the opportunity to contest misinformation and bad policy, it allows us to push for greater transparency and inclusion. We only lose by being silent.”

As of January 1st, 2024, the United States Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has implemented new reporting requirements aimed at combating financial crimes. The Free Speech Coalition encourages its members who own businesses to ensure compliance with these regulations. Here’s what you’ll need to know to navigate FinCEN’s new beneficial ownership information reporting requirements.

Understanding the Reporting Requirements: Who Does This Apply to?

These reporting requirements primarily concern companies doing business in the United States, including those owned by members of the Free Speech Coalition. The FinCEN Small Entities Compliance Guide outlines which companies are required to report and which companies are exempt. To determine whether the requirements apply to you, refer to the chart below, which is also listed on page 9 of the Small Entities Compliance Guide.

If your company is a reporting company, your next step is to identify its beneficial owners. A beneficial owner is any individual who, directly or indirectly, exercises substantial control over a company or owns or controls at least 25 percent of its ownership interests. Companies are required to identify and report all owners and beneficiaries.

How to Report:

Reporting companies must file their reports electronically through the FinCEN secure filing system, which is available as of January 1, 2024. FinCEN has published instructions and technical guidance on how to complete the report form on their website. If a reporting company is unable to file electronically, they should contact FinCEN for assistance. You also have the option to create a FinCEN ID.

What You Need to Report:

Reporting companies must provide specific information about each beneficial owner, including their name, date of birth, address, and identifying number and issuer from an accepted identification document. Additionally, information about the company itself, such as its name and address, must be submitted.

Deadlines for Reporting Requirements

For existing companies, the deadline for filing initial reports is January 1, 2025. New companies created or registered in 2024 must file within 90 calendar days after their creation or registration.

Useful Resources for Compliance:

FinCEN provides various resources to facilitate compliance, including a Small Entity Compliance Guide, informational videos, webinars, an FAQ and a contact center. These resources can be accessed on the FinCEN website.