SCOTUS to Take Up Section 230 Challenges

SCOTUS to Take Up Section 230 Challenges

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it will hear two cases that could lead to landmark decisions about Section 230 liability protection for online platforms.

The cases, Bloomberg reported today, mark “the court’s first test of the broad immunity social media companies have enjoyed under a provision known as Section 230, part of the 1996 Communications Decency Act.”

Digital rights advocates universally consider Section 230 to be a crucial bulwark against state and corporate censorship of controversial speech, including sexual expression and legal adult content.

Section 230 “has become a target of conservatives, including former President Donald Trump, who say it lets left-leaning tech companies censor right-wing voices,” the Bloomberg report continued.

As XBIZ has reported, the 1996 provision, once part of a Clinton-era censorship package aimed at sexual content online, is the only part of that legislation still in effect, and has shaped content moderation practices since the first expansion of the internet to consumers worldwide.

Two Cases Involving Social Media Platforms and Terrorist Attacks

The Supreme Court announced today that it will hear a case involving Google, which is being sued by the family of one of the victims of a 2015 terrorist attack in Paris. The family of Nohemi Gonzalez claims that Google’s YouTube service, “through its algorithms, violated the Anti-Terrorism Act by recommending the terrorist group’s videos to other users,” Bloomberg reported.

The plaintiffs are looking for SCOTUS to legitimize a carve-out of Section 230 protections concerning recommendation algorithms.

The lawyers for Gonzalez’s family have argued, “Whether Section 230 applies to these algorithm-generated recommendations is of enormous practical importance. Interactive computer services constantly direct such recommendations, in one form or another, at virtually every adult and child in the United States who uses social media.”

Google’s counsel warned against adopting a reading of section 230 “that would threaten the basic organizational decisions of the modern internet.”

The court will also hear a case against Twitter involving another terrorist attack, this one at an Istanbul nightclub in 2017, with the plaintiffs in that case also appealing to the Anti-Terrorism Act and seeking a Section 230 carve-out.

Justice Clarence Thomas has repeatedly asked for Congress to clarify the immunity provisions of Section 230, opining in March that “assuming Congress does not step in to clarify Section 230’s scope,” SCOTUS “should do so in an appropriate case.”

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

CamSoda Launches 'Trick or Tease' AI Companions

CamSoda has launched its Halloween-themed Trick or Tease AI companions.

Russian Lawmakers Call for Age Verification

Two Russian lawmakers have called on the country’s government to implement age verification for adult content.

British Documentary Spotlights XBIZ Amsterdam With Candid Conversations

British creator and host Josh Pieters traveled to XBIZ Amsterdam to film a documentary about the annual European adult industry conference.

XBIZ 2026 to Debut 'New Talent Go-See' Special Event

XBIZ 2026, North America’s premier adult industry conference, will debut a special event designed to help new talent jump-start their careers: the New Talent Go-See.

Penthouse Announces Digital Archive Launch

Penthouse Magazine has announced that it will launch a comprehensive digital archive in 2026.

Dreamcam Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Dreamcam has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches by Country for August, September

AEBN has released the list of popular searches from its straight and gay theaters by country in August and September.

AV in Focus: A Guide to Unlocking Compliance With Clarity

The age verification era isn’t coming — it’s here. Laws are already on the books in numerous U.S. states, as well as in the U.K., France and beyond.

Canadian Privacy Commissioner Endorses National AV Bill

Philippe Dufresne, privacy commissioner of Canada, has voiced support for a bill that would impose fines of up to $500,000 on adult sites that do not implement age verification for Canadian viewers.

Ricky Johnson Launches 'Ricky's Resort' Through YourPaysitePartner

Ricky's Room studio honcho Ricky Johnson has launched his latest site, RickysResort.com, through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Show More