EFF Rejects State Bills Requiring Obscenity Filter

State legislation to require obscenity filters on internet-connected devices “would create an unconstitutional and draconian Internet censorship and taxation regime in Missouri,” the Electronic Frontier Foundation said in a Wednesday letter to House Speaker Todd Richardson (R) and bill sponsor state Rep. Jim Neely (R). HB-2422 and bills like it in about 15 other states would require manufacturers to include filters on cellphones, TVs, gaming consoles and other devices blocking obscene content, including revenge pornography and prostitution and human trafficking websites. Under HB-2422, violators could be subject to imprisonment of less than one year or a fine of $500 per prohibited piece of content. Users seeking to remove blocking software would have to ask the manufacturer, sign an acknowledgement of risk and pay $20. “Although its supporters claim the bill would protect women, children, and vulnerable communities, in truth the bill would limit residents’ freedom of speech, allow the government to intrude into their private lives, restrict control of devices owned by consumers, and levy a disproportionate tax on consumer electronics,” EFF said. Last year, versions of the bill failed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Wyoming, EFF said. This year, similar bills are in play in Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming, EFF blogged.