Political Censorship Online and Section 230

 

For me, the problem is the political censorship enforced by Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and other tech companies, whose business models are based on Section 230 of the Communications Act.  Section 230 allows internet platforms to host 3rd party content without copyright liability under the assumption that the platforms exercise no editorial control of their content.  All social media companies' business models are based on Section 230.

For me the solution is quite simple.  Congress should alter Section 230 so it doesn't allow social media companies to remove content for any reason.  Instead, allow the tech giants to put an "Are you sure?" question on content they disapprove of, warning that the content you are asking for doesn't meet their "community guidelines."  Then let the users click through the question.

Allowing users to opt out of platform content filters, as a condition for allowing companies to hide behind Section 230, is a simple way to minimize the political censorship they now exercise.  It would involve no complex government regulation or anti-trust litigation.