We live in a digital world, where 85% of the population is online every day. In the U.S., our first amendment right to freedom of speech along with a 26-word law passed in 1996 has allowed this system to flourish. Section 230 was created long before platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube even existed, but it keeps them from being held legally responsible for the content that users post on their sites. If they were held liable there would be a lot more content moderation and free speech on the internet would be much more restricted than it is today. This guide will provide you with comprehensive information on all the ins and outs of this law, the history behind it, and the possible repercussions of repealing or amending any parts of it. It will also discuss how Section 230 relates to internet defamation lawsuits and provide some information on what steps citizens can take regarding the current legislative discussions.
