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Craigslist site, with personals still listed as an option. Screenshot: Axios

Online classified site Craigslist has pulled its entire personal ad section after Congress passed a new sex-trafficking bill that puts more liability on Web sites.

Why it matters: Smaller tech companies and advocates for sex workers had feared a chilling effect if the bill becomes law.

Craigslist said it couldn't afford the risk of continuing to host personal ads.

US Congress just passed HR 1865, "FOSTA", seeking to subject websites to criminal and civil liability when third parties (users) misuse online personals unlawfully.
Any tool or service can be misused. We can't take such risk without jeopardizing all our other services, so we are regretfully taking craigslist personals offline. Hopefully we can bring them back someday.
To the millions of spouses, partners, and couples who met through craigslist, we wish you every happiness!

Not just Craigslist: Reddit has banned certain sub-reddits, with several less well known sites also having ended their personals sections.

Big Tech fought against the bill — then folded, Axios' David McCabe has reported.

The other side: Supporters of the bill say it was narrowly tailored to deliver justice for victims shut out of the civil court system, not hinder good actors on the internet.

Go deeper

Updated 3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Trump campaign asks Georgia for another election recount

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Georgia will conduct another presidential election results recount following a Trump campaign request on Saturday.

Why it matters: State election officials and Gov. Brian Kemp (R) on Friday certified Georgia's election results that show President-elect Joe Biden officially won the state by just over 12,600 votes.

Updated 3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Sen. Kelly Loeffler in quarantine after mixed coronavirus test results

Sen. Kelly Loeffler addresses supporters during a rally at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agriculture Center on Thursday. Photo: Jessica McGowan/Getty Images

Sen. Kelly Loeffler's (R-Ga.) campaign announced Saturday she's following CDC guidelines and self-isolating with no COVID-19 symptoms after testing positive and then later returning an inconclusive result for the virus.

Why it matters: Loeffler has been campaigning at events ahead of a Jan. 5 runoff in elections that'll decide which party holds the Senate majority. Vice President Mike Pence was with her on Friday.

Judge tosses Trump campaign bid to block Pennsylvania vote certification

Election workers count ballots at the Philadelphia Convention Center Photo: Chris McGrath/Getty Images

A judge in Pennsylvania on Saturday dismissed a Trump campaign lawsuit that sought to invalidate millions of votes and block the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's victory in the state.

Why it matters: The ruling is another blow to President Trump and his campaign as they seek to discredit election tallies in Pennsylvania and other key swing states, citing baseless and unproven claims of widespread voter fraud. Counties in Pennsylvania must certify their election totals and send them to secretary of the commonwealth by Monday.