Doe v. Backpage.com

817 F.3d 12 (2016)

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Doe v. Backpage.com

United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
817 F.3d 12 (2016)

SC

Facts

Backpage.com (Backpage) (defendant) was a website that allowed users to post online advertisements by category and geographic location. One such category was “Adult Entertainment,” which had a subcategory named “Escorts.” Three young women (plaintiffs) sued Backpage, alleging that they were the victims of sex trafficking perpetrated on this section of Backpage’s website. The women claimed that Backpage not only permitted sex trafficking but made it easier. The women claimed that Backpage selectively removed certain advertisements in the Escorts section that appeared to be sting operations, allowed hidden phone numbers and email addresses, and removed all metadata from pictures posted. The district court granted Backpage’s motion to dismiss based on § 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The women appealed.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Selya, J.)

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Casebooks

Communication Law

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