Today, Explained 26 Words
Feb 9, 2021
Jeff Kossif, a Professor at the U.S. Naval Academy and author of "The 26 Words That Created the Internet," dives into the pivotal role of Section 230 in shaping online communication. He discusses how this law protects platforms from liability for user content, enabling open dialogue. The conversation also covers the political tug-of-war surrounding Section 230, exploring bipartisan battles and recent legislative actions like FOSTA-SESTA. Kossif emphasizes the need for careful adjustments to balance content moderation with innovation amidst growing regulatory pressures.
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Eliezer Smith Case
- In the 1950s, obscenity laws were broadly interpreted, leading to legal challenges.
- Bookseller Eliezer Smith's case, involving a book deemed obscene, reached the Supreme Court.
Early Online Services and Lawsuits
- Early online services like Prodigy and CompuServe faced lawsuits over third-party content.
- CompuServe, with less moderation, won its case, while Prodigy's moderation efforts led to liability.
Section 230's Goals
- Section 230 aimed to fix the disincentive to content moderation created by earlier court rulings.
- It also sought to protect the nascent internet industry from excessive regulation and litigation.