McCain Proposes Strengthening of Internet Child Obscenity Laws

February 7, 2007

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) and Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) are set to introduce a bill that would require ISPs and some website to alert the U.S. Federal government when illegal images of minors are posted or transmitted. A $300,000 fine awaits violators.

Widely assumed to be a Presidential candidate in 2008, McCain says his proposal will help combat child porn.

America's Most Wanted host John Walsh, whose son Adam was murdered by a child predator, is expected to lead a push for that bill to become law.

Not surprisingly, civil libertarians on free speec grounds. ISPs may object because of the perceived costs of compliance, as well as a feeling on their part that existing law - Securing Adolescents from Exploitation-Online Act - which mandates that illicit images are reported provides enough safeguards.

Currently, reportable offenses include web sites that promote child exploitation, selling a minor for sexuaul services and misleading domain names that when clicked, lead to obscene content. Obscene images of mintors- including non-real minors shown in a "drawing, cartoon, sculpture, or painting," are also prohibited.