At Automate Horizon, we serve adult creators and sex workers with digital marketing solutions — but we are often asked about FOSTA-SESTA and why it matters legally for the platforms and tools we provide. This post explains, from a purely legal basis, what FOSTA-SESTA is, what it changed, and why adult creators need to be aware of it.
What Is FOSTA-SESTA?
FOSTA (Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act) and SESTA (Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act) are two U.S. federal laws passed in 2018 that significantly amended Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. Section 230 historically protected online platforms from legal liability for what users post — meaning, for example, a platform like Twitter would not be held responsible for illegal user-generated content unless the platform itself was directly involved.
FOSTA-SESTA created an exception: online platforms can now be held criminally and civilly liable if they are found to knowingly assist, facilitate, or promote prostitution or sex trafficking. The laws allow both federal and state prosecutors — as well as civil litigants — to bring action against platforms they believe are enabling such activities, even indirectly.
What Does It Cover?
Legally, FOSTA-SESTA focuses on any content, tool, or service that:
- Promotes or facilitates prostitution, even consensual adult sex work.
- Assists or enables sex trafficking or exploitation.
- Knowingly hosts or distributes ads or posts related to paid sexual services.
This means that even if a platform or tool is designed for legal, professional use, if it appears to cross into these categories, it can trigger liability under the law.
Why Does This Matter for Adult Creators?
For adult creators, FOSTA-SESTA has introduced major legal risks to the use of online platforms, booking systems, and advertising tools. Even if a creator offers only legal, consensual services — such as stage performances, virtual content, or online subscriptions — the tools they use can become legally vulnerable if misused or misrepresented as promoting in-person sexual services.
Platforms, including Automate Horizon, must now take extra steps to:
- Write and enforce clear terms of use prohibiting in-person or illegal activities.
- Include disclaimers clarifying that tools like booking systems are only for professional, non-sexual work.
- Monitor and audit platform usage to stay compliant with federal law.
The Legal Bottom Line
Under U.S. law, FOSTA-SESTA shifts part of the responsibility from individual users to the platforms themselves. This means if a performer or client misuses a tool or system — even unintentionally — the platform owner can face criminal charges, civil lawsuits, or shutdowns.
For adult creators, understanding these legal limits is critical. Staying compliant protects not only the creator’s business but also the digital services they depend on.
If you are an adult creator working with Automate Horizon, know that we prioritize compliance, transparency, and protection for you and our platform. If you have legal questions, we always recommend consulting with an attorney familiar with FOSTA-SESTA and adult industry law.
Why These Are Trusted Sources
We base our guidance on credible legal and advocacy sources that provide robust analysis:
✅ Congress.gov — The official U.S. government website for legislation, offering the full legal text and amendments. This ensures we work from the actual law, not interpretations or summaries.
✅ Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) — A leading digital rights organization known for rigorous legal challenges and advocacy around internet freedom, privacy, and free speech. Their legal team has been central to analyzing and challenging SESTA/FOSTA.
✅ Woodhull Freedom Foundation — A respected human rights nonprofit focused on sexual freedom and bodily autonomy, known for its legal efforts to challenge SESTA/FOSTA on First Amendment grounds.
✅ U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) — An independent, nonpartisan federal agency that provides fact-based assessments of government programs. Their reports on the real-world impact of SESTA/FOSTA inform law enforcement and public policy.
✅ American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) — One of the most established civil rights organizations in the U.S., known for its legal defense of free speech and privacy rights, including concerns about SESTA/FOSTA’s overreach.
✅ Prostasia Foundation — A research-driven child protection organization that focuses on evidence-based policy, offering insights into how laws like SESTA/FOSTA affect both protection efforts and adult content regulation.
✅ Department of Justice (DOJ) Statements — The DOJ’s official legal positions, including their testimony expressing concerns that SESTA/FOSTA makes it harder to investigate trafficking cases effectively.
Final Disclaimer
This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal guidance, consult with a qualified attorney experienced in adult industry and online platform regulations.
Further references:
- Congress.gov — Full FOSTA-SESTA Text
- Electronic Frontier Foundation — SESTA/FOSTA Challenges
- Woodhull Freedom Foundation — Legal Resources
- GAO Report on FOSTA-SESTA Impact
At Automate Horizon, we are committed to supporting the safety, legal compliance, and long-term success of adult creators — because your success depends on working within the law, with tools you can trust.
