1. United States
2. Ohio
3. Letter

The Interstate Obscenity Definition Act (IODA) poses a grave threat to free speech protections online. This bill would empower the federal government to censor online content based on a vague and subjective standard of what is considered obscene. The proposed definition disregards established legal tests and community standards, opening the door for the suppression of art, educational materials, and expressions related to sexuality and identity. History has shown that obscenity laws are routinely misused to restrict controversial or unpopular speech, particularly from marginalized communities. The IODA would enable widespread censorship by giving authorities broad discretion to police online expression. Even the mere introduction of such legislation can chill free speech, leading to self-censorship by libraries, publishers, and platforms out of fear of potential liability. Protecting free expression is essential for a vibrant democracy and open discourse. The IODA undermines long-standing First Amendment precedents and threatens to diminish the internet's role as a bastion of free speech. We urge you to reject this bill and uphold the robust protections for online speech that have fostered intellectual and cultural exchange for decades.