Welcome back to another update from Tryst.link! We have some exciting news to announce this month…a way to fight back against hackers and scammers.

We all know that scammers are everywhere online. Even a strong password isn’t always enough to keep your account secure from phishing and hacking attacks. So what can we all do to stop them? The answer is 2-step login, a way of accessing your Tryst.link account that requires both a password AND:

- a code from an authenticator app,
- a security key (eg, USB or NFC),
- or a passkey on your phone or computer (eg, FaceID).

2-step login is the best way to keep your account safe. Even if someone finds out your password, they’ll have a hard time getting their hands on your authenticator app, security key, or passkey.

We’re making 2-step login mandatory for new sign-ups from the start of August. If you’d like to get a head start on making your account more secure, head over to our Support Centre to find out how to set up 2-step login now!

New on the site this month

• 2-step login is mandatory for new sign-ups: We’re gradually introducing mandatory 2-step login for new advertisers. To learn how 2-step login can help keep your account secure, please visit our Support Center.
• A new-format emergency recovery code: We now only provide users with a SINGLE emergency recovery code, one that’s a bit longer than the old one. Older codes can still be used, but once they’re all used up they’ll be replaced with a new-format code. Learn how to save and use your emergency recovery code over at our Support Center.
• Optional auto-renewal for subscriptions: Providers now have the option to choose whether or not we deduct TLC monthly to renew their subscription, or whether their subscription just expires at the end of the current billing period. This can be turned on or off at any time.
• Plan downgrades can be cancelled or changed: Even if you’ve already downgraded your plan, you can still make changes before the downgrade comes into effect.

Other improvements

• Subscription timestamps now show users’ local timezones. You'll see the day and time your subscription ends or renews for your local timezone, rather than the default of UTC.
• Better compatibility when paying using Bitcoin: Both the QR codes and the “Open in Wallet” button now work with more Bitcoin wallets.
• CapitalOne cards are no longer accepted when paying for TLC as we’ve had many reports from advertisers of bank accounts being closed and being sent intimidating emails after using their CapitalOne card with us.

[Callout box] Banking discrimination sucks. And the only way we can fight discrimination is if we know about it. This is why we’re working with the Free Speech Coalition to distribute an important survey about banking, credit card, and other forms of discrimination faced by sex workers. Please help out by sharing your experiences! [/callout box]

• Tweaked the image review system to help speed up the approval process.
• Resolved an issue that caused ‘total payable now’ to be shown when scheduling a downgrade, despite the fact that we don't charge anything up-front.
• Fixed a bug to ensure that, when multiple plan upgrades happen in a single month, the cost will always be based on the price of the plan at the time the subscription period began.
• Some users were having trouble editing their profiles after downgrading, this is now resolved.

In the community

There's always a lot going on in our amazing community! Here are some of the latest events, news, and resources for workers.

• Tryst.link is working with Free Speech Coalition, the adult industry trade association, and Sex Work CEO, an educational platform for adult entrepreneurs, to distribute an important survey about banking, credit card and other forms of discrimination faced by those earning money in the adult industry. The survey will be used to raise awareness about discrimination and help fight for fair banking initiatives.
• Tell Congress to say ‘no’ to bad internet bills! Find out more about the recent week of action in opposition to legislation like KOSA and EARN IT. There’s a form to help you contact your local lawmakers, images to share on your socials, and more information about upcoming bills that would severely impact human rights, expand surveillance, and enable censorship on the internet.
• Hole Money is taking submissions for their new cook book “Feed Your Hole 2” raising funds for Decolonize Sex Work. See their Instagram post to submit your recipe!
• ESWA (European Sex Workers Alliance are looking to hire a new Operations Officer. Check out their instagram post here for more details. Applications close on the 18th of August.
• The Scarlet Alliance National forum is coming up in November this year! A sex-worker-only event, it’s taking place on Gadigal Land (Sydney), 8-10 November.
• Sex Worker Outreach Project (SWOP) USA is calling for donations to support Body x Blunts - a Black Trans and disabled sex worker and civil rights organizer who has been working diligently towards liberation and decriminalization of Black and Brown Trans sex workers for years. The fundraising support will address Body x Blunt’s immediate, urgent healthcare and survival related needs. Click here to donate.
  

Are you involved in an event? Do you have some news to share? Are you aware of an industry initiative that deserves a shout-out? Let us know!

In the media

See below for the latest industry news pieces and mentions in the media.

• Documentary ‘Fly In Power’ Highlights The Work of Red Canary Song by Joan MacDonald for Forbes
• Small claims court victory sends clear message: Sex Work is real work by Natasha Darling for Rabble
• Decriminalizing Sex Work Would be Ireland’s Next Opportunity to Choose Equality by Erin Kilbride for Human Rights Watch
• Juana Maria Rodriguez: Sex work is a queer issue by Ivan Natividad for Berkeley News
• Sex Workers Want Rights, Not Rescue by Kaytlin Bailey for Reason
• New York’s Black Trans Sex Workers Take to ‘The Stroll’ In Deeply Personal, First Hand HBO Documentary by Sunil Sadarangani for Deadline
• Law That Made “Sex Work Industry More Dangerous” Upheld in Court by Zane McNeill for Truthout
• Kokomo City Review: Black Trans Sex Workers Spill the Tea in D. Smith’s Documentary by Diego Semerene for Slant
• Gilgo Beach’s ‘normal man turned serial killer’ is not as surprising as you may think by Dr Jayne Swift for The Independent
• The Damned Don’t Cry, a queer drama about sex work in Morocco by Nick Chen for Dazed
• How sex workers are fighting back against online deplatforming by Alex King for Huck Mag
• People shared what it’s like having sex for the first time with sex workers, and it’s eye opening by Kayla Yandoli for Buzzfeed
  

Don’t forget to check back in a month’s time for our next update!