Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, Oct. 16, Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) Legal Director Corynne McSherry will testify at a congressional hearing in support of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA)—one of the most important laws protecting Internet speech.



CDA 230 shields online platforms from liability for content posted by users, meaning websites and online services can’t be punished in court for things that their users say online. McSherry will tell lawmakers that the law protects a broad swath of online speech, from forums for neighborhood groups and local newspapers, to ordinary email practices like forwarding and websites where people discuss their views about politics, religion, and elections.



The law has played a vital role in providing a voice to those who previously lacked one, enabling marginalized groups to get their messages out to the whole world. At the same time, CDA 230 allows providers of all sizes to make choices about how to design and moderate their platforms. McSherry will tell lawmakers that weakening CDA 230 will encourage private censorship of valuable content and cement the dominance of those tech giants that can afford to shoulder new regulatory burdens.



McSherry is one of six witnesses who will testify at the House Committee on Energy and Commerce hearing on Wednesday, entitled “Fostering a Healthier Internet to Protect Consumers.” Other witnesses include law professor Danielle Citron, and representatives from YouTube and reddit.

WHAT:

House Committee on Energy and Commerce

“Fostering a Healthier Internet to Protect Consumers”

WHO:

EFF Legal Director Corynne McSherry



WHEN:

Wednesday, Oct 16

10 am



WHERE:

2123 Rayburn House Office Building

John D. Dingell Room

45 Independence Ave SW

Washington, DC 20515



For more on Section 230:

https://www.eff.org/document/section-230-not-broken