WASHINGTON — The ranking members from both parties in the U.S. House of Representatives Communications and Technology Subcommittee teamed up to propose an end to current Section 230 protections, known to digital rights activists as “the First Amendment of the internet.”

Washington Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers and New Jersey Democrat Frank Pallone held a hearing Wednesday titled “Legislative Proposal to Sunset Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.”

Although the written intent of Section 230 in 1996, McMorris Rodgers argued at the hearing, was “to make the internet a safe space and allow companies to remove harmful content in good faith without being held liable for doing so,” the increasing role of online activity in people’s lives since then has led to Big Tech “exploiting this to profit off us and use the information we share to develop addictive algorithms that push content on to our feeds.”

At the same time, McMorris Rodgers continued, without providing specifics, the same companies “refuse to strengthen their platforms’ protections against predators, drug dealers, sex traffickers, extortioners and cyberbullies.”

According to the congressperson, “Our children are the ones paying the greatest price. They are developing addictive and dangerous habits, often at the expense of their mental health. Big Tech has failed to uphold American values and be good stewards of the content they host.”

McMorris Rodgers claims that U.S. courts “have expanded the meaning of what Congress originally intended for this law, interpreting Section 230 in a way that gives Big Tech companies nearly unlimited immunity from legal consequences. These blanket protections have resulted in tech firms operating without transparency or accountability for how they manage their platforms and harm users.”

According to the congressperson, tech companies have “become masters at deception, distraction, and hiding behind others in order to keep Section 230 unchanged.”

The goal of this bipartisan push, McMorris Rodgers concluded, is not for Section 230 to disappear, but to make a show of strength against the tech companies, after nearly 25 bills to amend Section 230 over the last two Congresses failed to alter its liability protections.

“These companies have left us with no other option,” she added. “By enacting this legislation, we will force Congress to act.”

Section 230, digital rights advocates Evan Greer and Lia Holland of advocacy group Fight for the Future wrote in 2022, is “the last line of defense keeping reproductive health care support, information and fundraising online.”

Under Section 230, internet platforms that host and moderate user-generated content — including adult content — cannot generally be sued for that content, they noted.

However, Section 230, they added, is not absolute. “It does not provide immunity if the platform develops or creates the content, and it does not provide immunity from the enforcement of federal criminal laws. But, crucially, it does protect against criminal liability from state laws.”

FLENSBURG, Germany — Orion Wholesale has debuted the Fabulous collection of vibrators from its You2Toys line.

“The extravagant Fabulous vibrators from You2Toys provide deep and fulfilling pleasure with their various curves and twists,” said a rep. “The special highlight is the integrated, stimulating love balls with their quiet but powerful motors for the intense vibration modes. The Special Mode is extremely sophisticated too because the vibrations move back and forth between the motors — a fantastic training love ball effect.”

The collection includes a two-motor, 12-mode vibrator in pink and purple colors, and the turquoise three-motor, seven-mode version.

For more information, visit Orion.

LONDON — The U.K. Tory government’s Work and Pensions Secretary this week blamed “pornography and video games” for what he called “a mental health crisis among young men” which resulted in them leaving the workforce.

Mel Stride, a career Conservative politician since 2006, used adult content as a way to explain disastrous official figures showing almost a million Brits between the ages of 16 and 24 could not be found in either education, employment or training in the first trimester of 2024.

Stride has held office in three Tory governments since 2015, with duties overseeing matters directly impacting economic and labor policy. He was Lord Commissioner of the Treasury under David Cameron (2015-2016), Comptroller of the Household, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Paymaster General and Leader of the House of Commons under Theresa May (2016-2019), before being appointed Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in October 2022.

The Sunak government has been plagued by accusations of inefficiency, and General Elections have been called this week for July.

Stride himself caused a scandal last month prompted by his callous statements about stopping financial support to the mentally ill, as part of “a full-on assault on disabled people,” according to the opposition.

This week, Stride claimed that it was not the policies of Conservative governments which have ruled the U.K for an uninterrupted 14 years since 2010 that caused this year’s dismal job statistics, but social media and technology leading to “a very worrying” increase in mental health conditions among young people, which was fueling economic inactivity,” the main conservative newspaper The Telegraph reported.

Stride also theorized before a government committee that, while women’s mental health has been suffering “because of unrealistic ideals portrayed on social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram,” in the case of young men, “things like gaming, and certainly pornography and things like that, is a more prevalent factor.”

Stride proposed more research into technology was needed to fix the country’s economic and labor decline.

“I do think probably as a society we haven’t explored and fully opened up exactly what this technology means for young people’s mental health because I think the impacts are actually very profound and probably an area where there needs to be more research.”

The Sunak government of which Stride is part has failed to show many political victories since coming to power as a weak compromise choice in late 2022, after the scandal-plagued Boris Johnson government and the brief Liz Truss interregnum.

One of the Sunak government’s few wins, however, was the 2023 passage of the controversial Online Safety Act, which effectively instituted government censorship of all adult content, which the legislation considers universally “harmful to minors.”

LOS ANGELES — Sexologist Dr. Susan Block has reported she has filed a complaint against Meta seeking arbitration for “wrongful business practices,” including lack of accountability, algorithmic discrimination and deactivation of her sex advice accounts.

In the complaint, Block states that she built and curated her Facebook and Instagram profiles over many years, starting in 2008, always adhering to the platforms’ terms and conditions. She alleges that shortly after surpassing 10,000 Facebook followers, Meta shut down both her Facebook and Instagram accounts and banned her from all Meta sites and apps.

Block is represented by law firm Mayer-Brown.

Block released a statement claiming, “Meta’s wanton, algorithmic and unwarranted deactivation of my accounts has destroyed 15 years of hard labor in its social media mines, cut me off from essential communication channels, damaged my reputation and infringed upon my freedom of speech as well as the freedom of my friends, family and colleagues to hear me speak on their Meta feeds and in Messenger.”

The deactivation, she added, “represents the normalization of dehumanization. AI of this kind is artificial ignorance. It’s killing our humanity first, on its way to killing all the humans.”

Block’s legal team contends that META’s actions constitute a breach of contract and violate fundamental principles of fairness, free speech and due process. They argue that the company’s failure to provide any warning, explanation, opportunity to address any alleged community guidelines violations, or recourse for the deactivation constitutes an abuse of power, effectively and unjustly silencing her voice and depriving her of access to an essential digital public sphere.

“Of course, this is not just about me,” Block noted. “Meta activates and deactivates millions of people, doing great damage to our digital lives, mental health, personal relationships, art, work, fan bases and reputations. Sadly, most people cannot fight back. I am fighting back. No individual or entity should wield unchecked power to silence voices they disagree with in the public square. Mark Zuckerberg may consider it his ‘personal fiefdom,’ but Meta’s mega monopoly makes up such a large portion of the digital public square — it should be open to the public.”

According to Block, the case is scheduled for an arbitration hearing in Los Angeles on June 26.

LOS ANGELES — Fun Factory has introduced its new Ryde U-shaped dildo.

“Created for the ultimate internal or external stimulation, this creative pleasure product offers infinite play possibilities, and social media is going wild in anticipation,” said a rep. “A versatile multi-tasking toy for all genders, Ryde truly does it all, whether you’re looking for grinding, dual stimulation, double penetration, or all of the above.”

The dual-ended silicone dildo features ridges for G-spot, A-spot and P-spot stimulation, as well as a suction cup base to attach to a strap-on harness.

“At Fun Factory, we love when our fans try new things,” said Head of Global Marketing and Education Kristen Tribby. “Everyone experiences pleasure differently, and no anatomy is alike. Ryde celebrates everyone’s differences and diversity by offering something for everyone.”

For more information, visit FunFactory.

LOS ANGELES — Kelsey Kane and Parker Sims star in the latest scene from MyPervyFamily, titled “Just Say It, You Want To Fuck Your Stepsister.”

“Kelsey Kane’s performance is anything but the same old step-sister fuck session,” said a rep. “This is a firm woman getting a firm cock and making sure that everyone participating and watching is standing at firm attention.”

The scene is streaming on MyPervyFamily.

Follow Kelsey Kane and Parker Sims on X.com.

May 24, 2024 3:21 PM PDT

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — TheFlourishXXX has named Chocolate God as its West Coast brand ambassador.

“I am happy to be a part of this movement and feel blessed to be in the position to show my talents in other areas outside of being just male talent,” said God. “Let’s run it up.”

TheFlourishXXX CEO TJ enthused about the partnership.

“I believed in Chocolate God before everyone else did,” he said. “We’ve been building a relationship for years, and I’m happy to take it to the next level.

For more information, click here.

Follow Chocolate God on X.com.

May 24, 2024 3:20 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES — Reagan Foxx stars in the latest scene from Reality Junkies.

Directed by Mike Quasar, the scene features Foxx performing with Athena Fleurs and Nathan Bronson.

“Mike Quasar is one of the most efficient directors I have ever worked with in my entire career,” said Foxx. “The man is truly one of the best. Now, when it comes to Nate and Athena — oh my goodness — they are both such powerful, provocative people at heart. The intensity of this scene was pure adrenaline for me.”

The scene is streaming on RealityJunkies.

Follow Reagan Foxx and Athena Fleurs on X.com.

May 24, 2024 3:19 PM PDT

PHOENIX — Katelyn Hatley stars in the latest clip from AZ Pornstar.

“I started in the adult industry after discussing my swinger lifestyle on the Stern Show,” said Hatley. “That experience has also shaped how I present my content in the adult industry; I share real stories; I use my real name and I even have real orgasms. Lately, I’ve had the honor of working with some top names in the industry, like AZ Pornstar. And I’m just getting started.”

Pornstar enthused about the clip.

“I am so lucky to have worked with Katelyn on two different-style scenes,” he said. “She is a starlet with many great things going for her as a performer and content creator. She is on fire, and I want to harness a little of that warmth to showcase to the fans.”

The clip is streaming on AZPornstar.

Follow Katelyn Hatley on X.com.

May 24, 2024 3:18 PM PDT

TORONTO — Marina Valmont has scored two nominations at the 2024 Bucharest Summit Awards.

The nominations are in the categories of North America Cam Model of the Year and Most Popular Cam Model on Social Media.

“I’m so excited and would love to win one or both awards,” Valmont said. “If you’re a fan or an industry friend who meets the voting criteria, please vote for me.”  

The 2024 Bucharest Summit Awards are scheduled for June 6. For more event information, click here.

Follow Marina Valmont on X.com.