Congress has held several hearings on Section 230 and sought input from academics and tech executives. Lawmakers in both parties admonished the Trump administration’s push to include a similar provision in U.S. trade agreements as Congress continues to debate Section 230’s future.
Most critics of Section 230 recognize the importance of maintaining some of its key elements, like moderation protections. Former Vice President Joe Biden revealed himself as a notable exception.
Though few others seem to favor a total repeal, lawmakers have expressed interest in scaling back some of the powers of Section 230 or making platforms earn its protections by complying with certain standards.
“On 230, I know there are some that have said just get rid of it,” Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., told CNBC in an interview in January. Shakowsky had recently hosted a hearing on deepfakes and digital deception in the consumer protection subcommittee, which she chairs.
“Our view is that we want to protect First Amendment rights, there’s no question. But right now, we think the balance favors those who want a liability shield, and [it] goes way too far in that sense.”
It’s still unclear what specific steps lawmakers may take to change Section 230, but they have often used it as a reminder to tech companies that its protections may not last forever.
At the deepfakes hearing, Rep. Greg Walden, R-Ore., who has advised Congress to revisit Section 230, said, “This hearing should serve as a reminder to all online platforms that we are watching them closely.”
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