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Facebook and Twitter Ban Trump. What Does That Mean for Section 230?
As major social media companies ban Trump from their platforms over inciting violence, it could mean more challenges to Section 230 and more extremists going to free speech platforms.
Facebook and Twitter made the decision this week to ban Donald Trump from their platforms, where the President had the largest followings. The companies stated that they made the decisions after they determined there was the risk of a further incitement of violence. The moves were a forceful repudiation of the President after years of Trump using both platforms to spread lies, misinformation, and conspiracy theories. Shortly after the ban took place, prominent Republicans called for a repeal of Section 230, stating that Big Tech should be on the same footing as other American companies. The decisions made by Facebook, Twitter, and other social media companies were not made lightly but may bring greater challenges as far-right Republicans look for other social media platforms.
Section 230 is a piece of internet legislation that shields website publishers from liability against third-party content. It became law in 1996 when the internet was still in its infancy but has increasingly come under fire in…
