A growing movement against Section 230 of the 1996 Telecommunications Act is gaining traction, spearheaded by Matthew Bergman, the founder of a dedicated advocacy center. This legislation goes further, because it doesn’t even force social media companies to act on the content they’re spreading. Consequently, these platforms have found loopholes to evade culpability when their users post toxic content. Bergman argues that this legal shield enables social media giants to prioritize profit over user safety, drawing a stark comparison between their practices and those of cigarette companies.
Bergman’s campaign hopes to repeal Section 230. He says that this law empowers platforms like Snapchat to look away from dark problems, like the fact that drug dealers are the most common users of their networks. In a big, recent win for Bergman and his team, US DOT agreed and rescinded the 2017 guidance. They were able to stop a potential lawsuit against Snapchat from being dismissed from court based on Section 230 protections. This lawsuit underscores the urgent importance of making social media platforms legally accountable for their actions. They need to be held accountable for their part in facilitating hazardous behaviors on their platforms.
The implications of Section 230 are far-reaching. Specifically, the law creates a confusing legal structure that has contributed to the explosive rise of social media networks. This expansion started during an entirely separate era when Mark Zuckerberg was actually a product engineer. As Bergman argues, this has been achieved at the expense of public health and safety. He goes on to say that social media companies are aware of the negative impact their platforms can have. They’ve done this at the cost of putting user growth above all else, including ethics.
Bergman makes a creepy connection between the evil intentions of cigarette producers and social media developers. He argues that like the tobacco companies who denied the health risks of their products, social media companies can choose to allow dangerous content to proliferate. This apples to apples comparison shines a light on the dangers of unchecked corporate power. It demonstrates the power this technology has to set people up for failure, particularly with those in impacted populations.
The movement against Section 230 is gaining momentum as advocates push for legislative reform that would hold social media companies responsible for the content they host. Bergman and his allies are hell bent on piercing the protections of this valuable senatorial so-called “firewall.” They are committed to building a safer online community where consumers can connect without being exploited or harmed.