Wyden Statement on Legislation to Wreck Foundation of the Internet and Social Media
Washington, D.C. – Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued the following statement on legislation today that attacks a fundamental pillar of the internet, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act:
“Not long after 50 members voted to throw out much-needed internet privacy rules, yet another group of senators is attacking a fundamental pillar of the internet. Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is widely viewed as the legal basis for all of social media and it has been vital to the expansion of affordable internet access throughout the country. This proposal takes a wrecking ball to that foundation without so much as a committee hearing. It is yet another example of the technical ignorance of Congress threatening the jobs, lives and economic opportunities of millions of Americans,” Wyden said.
“What's more, this bill will make it less likely that tech companies help the victims this bill is meant to protect. This bill is so broad, there would be virtually no way for companies to avoid endless lawsuits, no matter how actively they police their platform. It would create a perverse incentive, discouraging companies interested in investing in new tools for identifying illegal activity on their services.”
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