Protection measures have helped technology platforms grow since the early days of the Internet (Reuters)
On Wednesday, the US Department of Justice proposed legislation to reform the tech industry’s part of legal liability known in law as Section 230, which protects internet platforms from liability for their users’ posts and allows them to modify and remove harmful content without impunity.
The bill focuses on two areas of reform. First, narrowing the criteria that online platforms must meet to obtain the liability protections conferred by Section 230. Second, abolishing legal immunity in some instances, such as crimes involving sexual assault against children.
The protections imposed by law have helped the growth of technology platforms since the early days of the Internet. Still, they have come under scrutiny in recent years as lawmakers and regulators have generally questioned the use of these measures to increase the power of technology companies.
Several lawmakers have proposed reforms to Section 230 in recent months. President Donald Trump signed an executive order in May targeting the law, citing the suppression of alleged “censorship” by technology platforms. Trump introduced the order shortly after Twitter first placed “fact-checking” stickers on his tweets.![]()
Trump issued the order shortly after Twitter first placed “fact-checking” stickers on his tweets (Reuters)