Protect Victims of Cyberstalking: Require Safety-Based Removal Options for Third-Party Social Media Indexing Services Petition to the United States Congress, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and major social media platforms Every day, millions of Americans are told to protect themselves from online harassment by blocking abusive users. For victims of cyberstalking and targeted harassment, blocking is often one of the first and most important safety measures. However, many people are unaware that third-party websites may index publicly available social media profiles and content, making that information accessible outside of the original platform. While these services may rely on publicly available information, many do not provide a meaningful process for individuals facing documented safety threats to request removal. This creates a serious gap in digital safety. Public-facing advocates, nonprofit organizations, journalists, educators, artists, creators, and small businesses often cannot simply make their accounts private without sacrificing their ability to serve their communities. Victims should not have to choose between public participation and personal safety. We call on Congress, the Federal Trade Commission, and major social media platforms to establish meaningful protections for individuals facing documented cyberstalking, harassment, or credible threats. Specifically, we ask for: * A standardized safety-based removal request process for third-party social media indexing services. * Prompt review of removal requests supported by credible evidence of ongoing harassment, stalking, or targeted abuse. * Greater transparency regarding how public social media content is collected, displayed, retained, and updated. * Collaboration between social media platforms and third-party indexing services to protect users with documented safety concerns. * Public reporting on how safety-related removal requests are handled. Digital safety should extend beyond the boundaries of a single platform. Blocking someone should remain a meaningful safety measure—not one that can be undermined by the absence of reasonable protections elsewhere. If you believe victims of cyberstalking and online harassment deserve stronger safeguards, please sign this petition and share it with others. Voices Unhidden Breaking the Silence on Digital Violence