The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) writes to reiterate our opposition to the Strengthening Transparency and Obligation to Protect Children Suffering from Abuse and Mistreatment Act of 2023 (STOP CSAM Act). We opposed the original version of the STOP CSAM Act in the previous Congress, and we are concerned to see the Committee moving to consider the same flawed ideas in the current Congress. While we appreciate the robust conversations we’ve had with the staff of the sponsors of the bills, our concerns remain. 

We understand that the sponsors of these bills say their legislation is intended to protect children from online sexual exploitation—an important and laudable goal. But laudable goals do not always make good law. We urge the Committee to find a different way to address this problem.