Internet Freedom of Speech Under Attack
Internet Freedom of Speech is Under Attack due to politicians efforts to repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which is the most important internet law ever created. This will affect EVERY person who uses the internet.
Trump is one of the proponents of wanting to eliminate Section 230 so he can sue platforms and people who post negative comments about him. This would violate the fist Amendment which he hates
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 (47 U.S.C. § 230) is a foundational U.S. law protecting online platforms from civil liability for third-party, user-generated content and for good-faith moderation decisions
It allows websites, from social media to forums, to host content without being treated as the publisher, fostering a free and open internet, while permitting them to remove objectionable material.
Key aspects of Section 230 include:
Liability Shield: Online platforms cannot be held liable for information provided by another content provider.
Moderation Immunity: Platforms can remove, edit, or hide content deemed obscene, lewd, or objectionable in good faith without losing their immunity.
Exceptions: The law does not apply to federal criminal statutes, intellectual property law, or communications privacy law.
Scope: It covers “interactive computer services,” which courts have interpreted broadly to include websites, platforms, and, in some cases, individual users.
Free Speech Concerns: Supporters argue that without Section 230, platforms would either aggressively censor user content or not allow user content at all.
Proposed Changes: There is ongoing debate in Congress and proposals to reform or sunset the law, as the 117th Congress has held hearings on limiting these protections.
How Section 230 Could Change The Internet As We Know It
The history of Section 230
Jeff Kosseff, who wrote the book The Twenty-Six Words that Created the Internet, explains the origin of the now-controversial law
