Congressional Republicans, Democrats Renew Attack on Section 230

Congressional Republicans, Democrats Renew Attack on Section 230

WASHINGTON — The ranking members from both parties in the U.S. House of Representatives Communications and Technology Subcommittee have teamed up to propose an end to current liability protections under Section 230, known to digital rights activists as “the First Amendment of the internet.”

Washington Republican Cathy McMorris Rodgers and New Jersey Democrat Frank Pallone held a hearing Wednesday titled “Legislative Proposal to Sunset Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.”

At the hearing, McMorris Rodgers argued that although the intent of Section 230, enacted in 1996, was “to make the internet a safe space and allow companies to remove harmful content in good faith without being held liable for doing so,” the increasing role of online activity in people’s lives since then has led to Big Tech “exploiting this to profit off us and use the information we share to develop addictive algorithms that push content on to our feeds.”

At the same time, McMorris Rodgers continued, the same companies “refuse to strengthen their platforms’ protections against predators, drug dealers, sex traffickers, extortioners and cyberbullies.” 

She did not cite any specific companies or examples, but added, “Our children are the ones paying the greatest price. They are developing addictive and dangerous habits, often at the expense of their mental health. Big Tech has failed to uphold American values and be good stewards of the content they host.”

McMorris Rodgers also claimed that U.S. courts “have expanded the meaning of what Congress originally intended for this law, interpreting Section 230 in a way that gives Big Tech companies nearly unlimited immunity from legal consequences. These blanket protections have resulted in tech firms operating without transparency or accountability for how they manage their platforms and harm users.”

According to the congressperson, tech companies have “become masters at deception, distraction, and hiding behind others in order to keep Section 230 unchanged.”

The goal of this bipartisan push, McMorris Rodgers concluded, is not for Section 230 to disappear, but to make a show of strength against the tech companies, after nearly 25 bills to amend Section 230 over the last two Congresses failed to alter its liability protections.

“These companies have left us with no other option,” she added. “By enacting this legislation, we will force Congress to act.”

Under Section 230, internet platforms that host and moderate user-generated content — including adult content — cannot generally be sued for that content. However, Section 230 is not absolute. Writing in 2022, digital rights advocates Evan Greer and Lia Holland of advocacy group Fight for the Future noted, “It does not provide immunity if the platform develops or creates the content, and it does not provide immunity from the enforcement of federal criminal laws. But, crucially, it does protect against criminal liability from state laws.”

Related:  

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

Taliban Restricts Access to Adult Content by Shutting Down Internet

The Taliban has shut down internet access across a large portion of Afghanistan in a move to prevent what it deems "immoral activities."

Go.cam Launches Video Spoofing Protection

Go.cam has announced that its verification solution now features security against video spoofing.

SexLikeReal Releases 'VR Self-Care' Guide

SexLikeReal (SLR) has published a blog post spotlighting “VR Self-Care.”

Brady Mills Agency to Launch 'AgeWallet' Subscription AV Solution

Tech company Brady Mills Agency announced that its subscription-based merchant age verification solution, AgeWallet, will launch in November.

EU Advocate General: France Can Require Foreign Sites to Implement AV

An advocate general of the European Union’s Court of Justice on Thursday advised the court to rule that France may require pornographic websites based in other EU states to implement age verification in accordance with French law.

Hentaied Founder Romero 'Mr. Alien' on Fetish, Fantasy and Finding Order in Chaos

A sharp sting pierces the woman’s skin. Something foreign slips beneath the surface. Eggs, maybe. She doesn’t know it yet, but soon her body will become a vessel, a hive, a source of contamination.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for July, August

AEBN has published the top search terms for the months of July and August from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The Guardian Devotes Feature Article to XBIZ Amsterdam

British newspaper The Guardian sent a reporter to cover XBIZ Amsterdam earlier this month, resulting in a lengthy article about the annual European adult industry conference.

Pineapple Support Taps Char Borley as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named Char Borley as its newest brand ambassador.

Michigan Legislators Propose Online Porn Ban

Michigan lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make it illegal to distribute pornography via the internet in the state.

Show More