The Supreme Court Actually Understands the Internet

For the first time, the Supreme Court is considering its opinion on the brief but powerful "26 words that created the internet." Enacted in 1996, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act immunizes online platforms from liability for anything that is posted on their site by a third party--a protection that allowed the web to bloom by encouraging experimentation and interactivity in its early years. More recently, Section 230 has been the subject of scrutiny as bipartisan critics argue that it provides powerful tech companies with too much cover and too little accountability. The Supreme Court's perspective on the issue was a mystery until this week, when justices heard oral arguments for two cases involving 230. On Tuesday, the Court was asked to consider whether Google is liable for YouTube-recommendation algorithms showing Islamic State videos to users.