Microsoft, Meta, Google stand united to protect Section 230 at Supreme Court
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Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Meta (NASDAQ:META), Twitter and other tech companies backed Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) in amicus briefs filed on Thursday regarding a case known as Gonzalez versus Google, which debates whether tech companies should be held liable for recommended content to users. Big Tech is worried how a broad ruling could harm their business and offerings.
The case petitioners are a family of an American woman who died in an ISIS attack in 2015. They allege YouTube is to blame for the algorithm encouraging radicalization.
Under a 1996 statute known as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, companies are protected against user content, including comments, reviews and advertisements.
The Supreme Court is analyzing amendments to this law - that was formed when internet was not paramount to people's daily lives - which could change the face of social media and challenge online speech.
Two crucial tenets of social media giants include: scrutiny power - to decide what content to keep online or take down, free from government oversight; second - that websites cannot be held liable for what users post online, shielding from lawsuits over libelous speech and extremist content.
Before it all goes down, the Supreme Court will make another important decision. On Friday, it will discuss whether to hear two cases that challenge laws in Texas and Florida barring online platforms from taking down certain political content.