policy

What Is Section 230?

In plain English

A provision of the Communications Decency Act that protects internet platforms from liability for user-generated content. It allows websites to host user posts without being treated as the publisher of that content, while also letting them moderate harmful material without losing that protection.

The Full Explanation

Related Policy Positions

See how the Common Good platform addresses the issues connected to this term.

Internet, Privacy & Big Tech

The US is the only major democracy without a federal privacy law. A $323 billion data broker industry extracts your life for profit. Your data belongs to you.

Platform position Policy guide

Media & Press Freedom

3,500 newspapers closed since 2005. 213 counties have no local news. The US dropped from 32nd to 57th in press freedom. The press is the immune system of democracy.

Platform position Policy guide

Related Terms

government

Lobbying

The act of attempting to influence government decisions, typically by paid professionals representing corporations or interest groups. While lobbying is protected by the First Amendment, the scale of corporate lobbying — $4.1 billion per year — gives wealthy interests vastly more access than ordinary citizens.

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