US House Considers the Bill With Potential To Create Internet Legal Chaos
INTERVIEW ON THE PRICE OF BUSINESS SHOW, MEDIA PARTNER OF THIS SITE.
Recently Kevin Price, Host of the nationally syndicated Price of Business Show, interviewed Barbara Comstock.
Section 230, the law shielding online platforms from liability for user-generated content, continues to be a debated topic with the potential for significant change. Here’s a combined update:
- Supreme Court Case: A February 2023 Supreme Court case is currently determining the scope of Section 230’s protections, which could significantly impact how online platforms handle content moderation.
- Reform Debate: Calls for reform are ongoing. Some argue Section 230 gives tech companies too much control over content, while others fear weakening it could stifle free speech and innovation. The Department of Justice recently weighed in, favoring changes that hold platforms more accountable for harmful content. Potential reforms could range from increased transparency in moderation to limitations on immunity for specific content types.
- Section 230 Sunset Act: A proposed bill, the “Section 230 Sunset Act,” aimed to repeal Section 230 by the end of 2025. As of May 2024, this act’s future seems unlikely. While there’s interest in reforming Section 230, a complete repeal by 2025 appears unlikely due to concerns about unintended consequences and the lack of a clear replacement.
In summary, the Supreme Court decision and potential legislative changes have the potential to reshape how we interact online. Section 230 itself is likely to remain in effect, but its interpretation and the powers it grants online platforms are up for debate.
According to a statement:
“Antitrust law protects American consumers from low-quality goods and services, but Google’s products are highly innovative and free for everyone. The Justice Department’s misguided lawsuit stretches antitrust law beyond its breaking point and risks breaking the very products that Americans love and use every day.”
Barbara represented Virginia’s Tenth Congressional District, was a senior appointee in the Justice Department, and worked as a Congressional aide. Her election marked her as the first woman elected to that seat. She was named as one of the “Top Ten Most Effective Lawmakers” in the 115th Congress by the Center for Effective Lawmaking, a joint effort of the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University.
According to a statement from Ms. Comstock, “During her time in Congress, Barbara was a leader on technology and cybersecurity issues, chairing the Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s Research and Technology subcommittee, as well as serving on the Joint Economic Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the House Administration Committee. Her legislative achievements include passing legislation to promote women and disadvantaged populations in STEM, as well as expanding research in the technology space. Barbara also was the leader on anti-sexual harassment legislation in Congress, and legislation to tackle the opioid crisis and gang crime. She partnered with Senator McCain to reauthorize multi-year firefighter grants to increase innovation and public safety. While in Congress, Barbara was the only woman in the Virginia congressional delegation and the only Virginia member to chair a subcommittee.”
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