Broad Coalition Opposes Proposed Repeal of Internet’s Legal Shield, Section 230

A proposed bill aiming to repeal Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is facing pushback from various organizations, including the American Library Association and Wikimedia Foundation. These groups emphasize the importance of Section 230 in protecting the digital ecosystem, particularly for smaller tech entities, educational bodies, and libraries.

Section 230, enacted in 1996, shields online services from legal responsibility for user-generated content. This legal safeguard is seen as foundational for the modern internet’s operation.

The opposition’s letter, addressed to Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Frank Pallone, Jr., coincides with a House Energy and Commerce Committee hearing on the matter. The legislators have expressed a desire to collaborate on a new legal framework for internet platforms.

Critics of the repeal argue that it would disproportionately affect smaller organizations, which lack the resources to handle extensive litigation, unlike their larger counterparts. They advocate for a broader discussion that includes the views of all internet stakeholders.