Technology
Liability Shield for Online Platforms: Section 230
Quick fact
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, enacted in 1996, has been called 'the most important law on the internet' because it protects platforms from being sued for user posts and also shields them when they remove content, which some argue has allowed the internet to flourish.
Why this is interesting
Every time you post a comment, upload a photo, or write a review on a website, the platform hosting it is largely shielded from legal responsibility for what you say. But what exactly does this protection entail, and why is it so controversial?