Category: section 230

DoJ asks Congress to limit protections for social media companies

[ad_1] Politicians have been poking at Section 230 for months. The DoJ doesn’t typically weigh in on legislation, but now, Barr is asking Congress to roll back critical aspects of Section 230. Not only is that unusual, it could add to speculation that some politicians are attempting to “bully tech companies into political submission,” as […]

Trump administration petitions FCC to reinterpret Section 230 rules

[ad_1] “Many early cases, understandably protective of a nascent industry, read section 230’s protections expansively. But, given the maturing internet economy and emergence of dominant social media platforms, the FCC should re-examine section 230, as well as other provisions of the Communications Act of 1934. The FCC should determine how section 230 can best serve […]

EARN IT Act amendments transfer the fight over Section 230 to the states

[ad_1] The other major concern opponents of the EARN IT Act raise has to do with Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which says that companies are not liable for much of the content that users post. Originally, the EARN IT Act proposed requiring that companies “earn” Section 230 protections by following recommended practices […]

Senate bill aims to boost accountability for Section 230 without gutting it

[ad_1] Greater accountability would come by requiring a “defined complaint system” that handles reports and alerts users to moderation actions within two weeks while providing an appeals process. Companies would have 24 hours to remove any content deemed illegal, although smaller outlets would have more leeway for responding to requests and user complaints. The bill […]

Devin Nunes can’t sue Twitter over parody cow account

[ad_1] In the ruling, the judge said Twitter is protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which says tech platforms can’t be held liable for what their users say.   In a statement, Twitter praised the ruling. “Twitter strongly believes the court made the right decision today to dismiss the claims raised by Congressman […]

Twitter marks a Trump tweet ‘manipulated media’ for the first time

[ad_1] In a move that may spur another round of yelling about censorship and Section 230 from the White House, a tweet by Donald Trump has received a special marker — not one of those special markers — from Twitter. In this case, the shoddily-manipulated video clip aims to turn people against “fake news” by […]

DoJ’s Section 230 proposal seeks more (and less) moderation online

[ad_1] One set of changes — in the “more moderation” bucket — is “aimed at incentivizing platforms to address the growing amount of illicit content online,” and would limit legal protections in cases of terrorism, child exploitation and cyber-stalking. At the same time, the DoJ calls for less moderation of other types of content. Because […]

DoJ will reportedly limit social media companies’ speech protections

[ad_1] For example, the proposal would not give companies legal immunity in cases involving acts like terrorism, sexual abuse and cyberstalking. Another part of the proposal would also reportedly limit what protection tech companies have in civil cases involving the federal government. The Wall Street Journal reports the proposal also suggests striking a clause that allows online […]

Senators push FCC to take action on Trump’s social media order

[ad_1] Whether or not the senators get what they want is another matter. Reuters noted that FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly saw “very complex issues” behind the order. He previously echoed beliefs that conservatives were being “stifled by liberal tech leaders,” but also said he was “extremely dedicated” to free speech rights. Chairman Pai said in […]

Lawsuit claims Trump’s social media order violates free speech rights

[ad_1] In a statement, CDT chief Alexandra Givens added that Trump’s move was a “direct attack” on free speech. “The government cannot and should not force online intermediaries into moderating speech according to the President’s whims,” she said. Twitter unsurprisingly supports the lawsuit. It pointed Engadget to a statement calling the order a “reactionary and […]