United States

Sex work is illegal in the US at federal and state levels. FOSTA-SESTA (2018) made platforms liable for hosting content that "facilitates" sex trafficking — broadly interpreted to include all sex work advertising. This led to shutdown of Backpage and mass deplatforming. Only licensed brothels in certain rural Nevada counties are legal. FOSTA-SESTA has been criticized by sex worker organizations, HRW, Amnesty International, the DOJ, and even the original sponsors' own staff.

Despite criminalization, sex work is widespread. Enforcement varies dramatically. NYC, SF, Portland have deprioritized enforcement. Texas, Florida, many Southern states actively conduct stings. FOSTA-SESTA pushed work underground and made it harder to detect actual trafficking. Independent escorting continues through encrypted messaging and referral networks.

Severe. FOSTA-SESTA = any US platform faces criminal liability. NSA surveillance. CBP can search devices at the border without a warrant. US-hosted services are subject to subpoenas. Use end-to-end encryption. Consider non-US hosting and email.

High risk. Crossing state lines for sex work can trigger federal Mann Act charges. Border agents have broad search powers. Mainstream platforms and payment processors actively ban SWs. Some cities are significantly safer than others — research specific jurisdictions.

Tryst.link (offshore), Eros.com, Slixa, Private Delights, SkipTheGames. Platforms regularly shut down.

• SWOP USA — Sex Workers Outreach Project
• Hacking//Hustling — FOSTA-SESTA research
• Desiree Alliance — national SW network
• COYOTE — Call Off Your Old Tired Ethics
• St. James Infirmary — SF health clinic