Infrastructure
New Section 230 Legislation, BAI Agrees to Buy Mobilitie, NATOA Awards Open
New Section 230 legislation introduced, BIA to buy Mobilitie, and nominations for the NATOA awards are now open.
Section 230
Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, enacted as part of the Communications Decency Act in 1996, protects providers from liability for content or information posted by their users. It is often referred to as “the 26 words that created the internet.”
CTA
Head of Big Tech Lobby Group Says Repealing Section 230 Unconstitutional
CTA CEO said abolishing intermediary liability protections violates private industry protections against government interference.
Big Tech
Big Tech Must Take More Hands-Off Approach to Content to Build Trust, Expert Says
Expert warns Big Tech must adopt hands-off approach to regain public trust.
Broadband Live
Broadband Breakfast Hosts Section 230 Debate
Two sets of experts debated the merits of reforming or removing and maintaining Section 230.
Bob Latta
Despite Speculation, Section 230 Is Here to Stay: Rep. Bob Latta
Republican representative Bob Latta said Section 230 is not going anywhere anytime soon.
Infrastructure
AT&T Settles Overcharging Complaint, DeSantis Social Media Bill, Ohio Broadband, The Case For Broadband for All
AT&T settles for $1.5 million, DeSantis signs social media law, Ohio broadband fund, and broadband for all.
Explainers
Explainer: With Florida Social Media Law, Section 230 Now Positioned In Legal Spotlight
As Florida’s governor signs new social media law, Section 230 is on a collision course with reform and the law.
FCC
Biden Revokes Trump-Era Executive Order Designed To Crack Down On Big Tech
Biden orders FCC and FTC to stand down on Trump-era order targeting social media companies.
Antitrust
Section 230 Has Coddled Big Tech For Too Long, Says Co-Author of Book on Amazon
Co-author of “The Amazon Jungle” says Section 230 has allowed Big Tech to get away with far too much.
Joe Biden
Government’s Reactive Nature Hobbling Tech Regulation, Expert Says
Congress may need another big tech breach to move earnestly on regulation, says consultant.
FCC
Sen. Mike Lee Promotes Bills Valuing Federal Spectrum, Requiring Content Moderation Disclosures
April 5, 2021 – Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said Friday spectrum used by federal agencies is not being utilized efficiently, following legislation he introduced early last year that would evaluate the allocation and value of federally-reserved spectrum. The Government Spectrum Valuation Act, or S.553 and
Infrastructure
Silberman Dissent Rails Against Big Tech, Space Force Broadband, North Carolina Public Private Partnerships
March 29, 2021—Judge Laurence Silberman has worn many hats throughout his career—diplomat, lawyer, jurist—and he may now add “staunch critic of big tech” to his list of titles. Silberman wrote the dissenting opinion in Tah v. Global Witness Publishing, released on March 19 by the D.C. Circuit Court
COVID
Pressed by Congress, Big Tech Defends Itself and Offers Few Solutions After Capitol Riot
March 26, 2021 – The heads of the largest social media companies largely defended their platforms, reiterated what they’ve done, and offered few solutions to the problems that ail them during a congressional hearing Thursday. But, under harsh questioning from the House Energy and Commerce Committee,
Mark Warner
Sen. Mark Warner Says His Section 230 Bill Is Crafted With Help of Tech Companies
March 23, 2021 – Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, said he and his staff are in “regular contact” with big tech representatives about Section 230 reform. “Both my staff and I are in regular contact with a host of individuals on the tech side,” Warner said Monday at a Protocol webinar discussing internet
Expert Opinion
Trevor Wagener: State Regulation of Content Moderation Would Create Enormous Legal Costs for Platforms
Dozens of bills regulating internet content moderation have been proposed in at least 30 state legislatures, and one in Utah currently sits on the governor’s desk awaiting his veto or signature. If enacted, many of the bills would impose prescriptive state regulations governing internet content mode
EFF
Changes to Section 230 Might Lead To Removal of Legitimate Speech, Subtract from Historical Record
March 17, 2021 – Changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act may not lead to the solution that America wants or needs, said panelists during a South by Southwest event Tuesday. Section 230 grants immunity to social media platforms for user-generated content. It’s an increasingly visible
