Section 230

Michelle Nary and Novea Lindsay

"No provider or user of an interactive

computer service shall be treated as

the publisher or speaker of any

information provided by another

information content provider.”

Cases• Cubby, Inc. v. CompuServe, Inc. Ruling: dismissed

• Stratton Oakmont, Inc. v. Prodigy Servs. Co. Ruling: Stratton Oakmont

Internet Development• Legislators wanted to facilitate the development of digital

technologies Ex: moderator tools

• Company Liability Restriction of commentary

1. Protect corporate interests

2. Encourage dialogue

Absolve Distributor Liability

Encourage Free Speech• Facebook

• Twitter

• Reddit

Content and Child Safety Standards

Defamation• Blumenthal v. Drudge (1998) Upheld

Privacy Violation• Barnes v. Yahoo, Inc. (2009) Upheld

Negligence• Jane Doe v. America Online, Inc. (2001) Upheld

Other torts associated with publishing• Discrimination Fair Housing Council of San Fernando Valley v. Roommates.com, LLC (2008) Rejected

'Revenge Porn' Victims Are Right To Be

Angry, But Perhaps Not Here

Screening

Selection

Editing

Soliciting

Purchasing

Facilitating

Maintenance

Content Editing• Original Statement: Carl is not a criminal (non-defamatory)

• Altered Statement: Carl is a criminal (defamatory) then they are not protected by section 230.

Interaction• Fair Housing Council of San Fernando Valley v. Roommates.com,

LLC (2008) Rejected

Material Removal• Barnes v. Yahoo, Inc. (2009) Promissory Estoppel

The Resident: Gov't gag order for the

Internet