Silicon Valley challenged by senators over sex trafficking

A logo sign outside of the headquarters of Google on Jan. 24, 2016 in Mountain View, Calif. (Kristoffer Tripplaar/Sipa USA/TNS)

Web companies opposed to a federal bill aimed at squelching online trafficking of children faced a blunt challenge from US lawmakers at a hearing on Sept 19, and a plea from a mother whose child was slain after being advertised for sex on the Backpage.com website. 

“It could be your child,” said a tearful Yvonne Ambrose, whose 16-year-old daughter was found beaten and stabbed to death outside Chicago, and who has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Backpage. The site, Ambrose said, “must be held accountable.”