TikTokers take on Texas abortion law by sending fake tips to 'whistleblower' site - CNET

Protesters hold up signs outside the Texas state capitol in May 2021. 

Sergio Flores/Getty Images

TikTokers are taking on the Texas "heartbeat" bill by encouraging people to bog down a "whistleblower" website that calls for anonymous tips on those seeking or performing abortions in the state. The videos began spreading on the popular social media site last month and picked up steam as the law went into effect on Wednesday after the US Supreme Court refused to block it.

Known as Senate Bill 8, the law outlaws abortions once a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as six weeks. It's one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, with no exceptions for rape or incest. The law allows private individuals to sue anyone seeking an abortion as well as those who "aid or abet" an abortion.

Texas Right to Life, an anti-abortion nonprofit organization, created ProLifeWhistleblower.com for people to send in anonymous tips on possible violations of the law.

The call by TikTokers to send in fake tips began in August, with users sharing videos explaining the process and showing that the site had temporarily crashed. The tactic is also getting attention on Twitter and other social media sites, with posts encouraging people to flood the website with false information.

@victoriahammett

@0liviajulianna this is genius go give her a follow y’all! Website: prolifewhistleblower.com

♬ original sound - Victoria Hammett

@0liviajulianna

##stitch with @0liviajulianna ##greenscreen##antiabbott##gregabbott##feminism also thank you to @victoriahammett for posting about this!

♬ Everywhereigo - Babyxsosa

One TikTok user, who goes by the name Sean Black, uploaded a video showcasing an iOS script shortcut he created that would submit a fake tip easily from an iPhone. 

@black_madness21

Reply to @black_madness21 #texas#abortion#gregabbott

♬ original sound - Sean Black

According to Black, the site has been IP banning individuals sending in too many tips or bogus info. Some people are getting around this issue by using a virtual private network, or VPN.

TikTok and Texas Right to Life didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. 

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