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Primer on "Section 230"
In 1996, the "Communications Decency Act" became law. S230 of that law provided operators "safe harbor" against defamatory statements published to their sites.
AS LONG as they take "reasonable steps" against such content once informed, they're protected.
In 1996, the "Communications Decency Act" became law. S230 of that law provided operators "safe harbor" against defamatory statements published to their sites.
AS LONG as they take "reasonable steps" against such content once informed, they're protected.
For example:
If I run a blog & somebody writes a comment that is a defamatory against another person, "I" cannot be held legally responsible for the publication of that statement AS LONG as I remove the statement or block access to it in a reasonable time ONCE INFORMED.
If I run a blog & somebody writes a comment that is a defamatory against another person, "I" cannot be held legally responsible for the publication of that statement AS LONG as I remove the statement or block access to it in a reasonable time ONCE INFORMED.
The same principle protects me from legal liability against false, illegal or harmful information posted on my site -- again AS LONG as I take reasonable steps once informed.
Trump is upset b/c his "The Flu kills 100k people a year!" post was flagged as false, so he's demanding the repeal of S230.
The thing is... w/o S230, site operators (FB, Twitter, etc.) would be legally responsible for ALL of Trump's posts.
He'd be banned almost instantly.
The thing is... w/o S230, site operators (FB, Twitter, etc.) would be legally responsible for ALL of Trump's posts.
He'd be banned almost instantly.
In other words:
Trump complaining about S230 b/c Social Media providers are flagging his posts is like an arsonist complaining that firefighters keep putting out his fires.
That's their job.
They're doing what they're SUPPOSED to be doing according to LAW AND ORDER.
Trump complaining about S230 b/c Social Media providers are flagging his posts is like an arsonist complaining that firefighters keep putting out his fires.
That's their job.
They're doing what they're SUPPOSED to be doing according to LAW AND ORDER.
