# Communications Decency Act on The No Agenda Show

Communications Decency Act comes up in 9 chapters across 9 episodes of The No Agenda Show, from January 2017 to May 2020.

- **Chapters:** 9
- **Episodes:** 9
- **Discussed:** January 2017 – May 2020
- **Related topics:** [Section 230](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/section-230.md), [Backpage](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/backpage.md), [Editorializing](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/editorializing.md), [Facebook](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/facebook.md), [Google](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/google.md), [Human Trafficking](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/human-trafficking.md), [Liability](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/liability.md), [Rob Portman](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/rob-portman.md), [Algorithms](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/algorithms.md), [Bill Clinton](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/bill-clinton.md)

## Chapters 1–9 of 9

### Section 230, Communications Decency Act and Platform Liability

- **Episode:** [1246: 3X3](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1246-3x3.md)
- **Published:** 2020-05-28
- **Time:** 1:11:18–1:14:29
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1246-3x3/chapter/section-230-communications-decency-act-and-platform-liability.md

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is examined as the legal foundation that protects tech platforms from liability for user-generated content. The discussion argues that when companies like Twitter or Facebook use algorithms to filter content or remove posts for being "objectionable," they are effectively editorializing and should lose their immunity. The history of the act, signed under the Clinton administration, is cited as a turning point for internet growth.

Keywords: [section 230](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/section-230.md), [communications decency act](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/communications-decency-act.md), [bill clinton](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/bill-clinton.md), [editorializing](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/editorializing.md), [algorithms](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/algorithms.md)

### Section 230 and the Publisher vs Platform Legal Muddle

- **Episode:** [1145: Dumb Meat](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1145-dumb-meat.md)
- **Published:** 2019-06-10
- **Time:** 52:15–1:00:32
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1145-dumb-meat/chapter/section-230-and-the-publisher-vs-platform-legal-muddle.md

The legal protections of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act are under scrutiny as tech platforms act more like traditional publishers. While companies claim they are not publishers to avoid liability, they simultaneously invoke First Amendment editorial rights to justify content moderation. The hosts argue that by using algorithms to curate and promote content, these companies have effectively become authors and publishers.

Keywords: [section 230](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/section-230.md), [communications decency act](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/communications-decency-act.md), [first amendment](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/first-amendment.md), internet association, [liability](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/liability.md), [tort law](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/tort-law.md)

### Section 230 and News Business Liability

- **Episode:** [1141: Nadster](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1141-nadster.md)
- **Published:** 2019-05-30
- **Time:** 35:55–38:38
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1141-nadster/chapter/section-230-and-news-business-liability.md

The debate over whether social media platforms should be classified as news businesses centers on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. If platforms are found to be editorializing through fact-checking and shadow banning, they may lose their legal protections as neutral distributors.

Keywords: [section 230](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/section-230.md), [communications decency act](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/communications-decency-act.md), [editorializing](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/editorializing.md), [news business](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/news-business.md), [liability](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/liability.md)

### Section 230 and the Open Internet vs. Closed Platforms

- **Episode:** [1124: Work To Rules](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1124-work-to-rules.md)
- **Published:** 2019-03-31
- **Time:** 46:44–48:13
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1124-work-to-rules/chapter/section-230-and-the-open-internet-vs-closed-platforms.md

The discussion contrasts the U.S. Section 230 protections with the new European regulations. While Section 230 protects platforms from liability for user-generated content, the EU is moving toward a model of platform responsibility. The hosts define the "open internet" as direct server connections, distinct from the "closed walls" of social media giants.

Keywords: [section 230](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/section-230.md), [communications decency act](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/communications-decency-act.md), [google](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/google.md), [facebook](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/facebook.md), [open internet](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/open-internet.md)

### Section 230, Prodigy Libel Case History

- **Episode:** [1016: Bong Rip](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1016-bong-rip.md)
- **Published:** 2018-03-15
- **Time:** 2:44:08–2:49:48
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1016-bong-rip/chapter/section-230-prodigy-libel-case-history.md

The history of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is traced back to a 1995 libel lawsuit against the Prodigy online service. The hosts discuss how this "Good Samaritan" rule allowed the internet to grow by protecting platforms from liability for user-generated content. They also reminisce about the early days of the web, including the Mosaic browser and Apple's failed eWorld service.

Keywords: [section 230](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/section-230.md), [communications decency act](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/communications-decency-act.md), [prodigy](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/prodigy.md), [mosaic](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/mosaic.md), [world wide web](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/world-wide-web.md)

### Section 230 Reform, SESTA-FOSTA and Human Trafficking Legislation

- **Episode:** [1013: Hypogonadism](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1013-hypogonadism.md)
- **Published:** 2018-03-04
- **Time:** 20:12–25:55
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/1013-hypogonadism/chapter/section-230-reform-sesta-fosta-and-human-trafficking-legislation.md

The House of Representatives passed legislation targeting online sex trafficking, specifically aimed at the website Backpage. This move threatens the liability protections of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Senator Rob Portman argues the internet has made trafficking "ruthlessly efficient," while tech advocates warn that eroding these protections could destroy platforms like YouTube and Yelp. The hosts view this as the beginning of the end for the open internet.

Keywords: [section 230](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/section-230.md), [backpage](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/backpage.md), [rob portman](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/rob-portman.md), [human trafficking](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/human-trafficking.md), [communications decency act](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/communications-decency-act.md)

### Section 230 and Internet Platform Liability

- **Episode:** [980: King Tide](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/980-king-tide.md)
- **Published:** 2017-11-09
- **Time:** 1:28:37–1:32:00
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/980-king-tide/chapter/section-230-and-internet-platform-liability.md

Congress is considering holding internet companies legally liable for content on their platforms, potentially amending Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The hosts explain that Section 230 currently protects platforms from being treated as publishers of user-generated content. They argue that removing these protections could shut down major social media sites and smaller community forums alike.

Keywords: [section 230](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/section-230.md), [communications decency act](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/communications-decency-act.md), [facebook](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/facebook.md), [tumblr](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/tumblr.md), [legal liability](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/legal-liability.md)

### SESTA Legislation, Section 230, Backpage Sex Trafficking

- **Episode:** [966: Master Algo](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/966-master-algo.md)
- **Published:** 2017-09-21
- **Time:** 45:20–47:59
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/966-master-algo/chapter/sesta-legislation-section-230-backpage-sex-trafficking.md

The Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act (SESTA) aims to amend Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to hold websites liable for sex trafficking. The hosts discuss how Section 230 originally enabled the growth of platforms like Facebook and YouTube by providing immunity for user-generated content. The case of Backpage.com serves as the primary catalyst for this legislative push.

Keywords: [sesta](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/sesta.md), [section 230](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/section-230.md), [communications decency act](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/communications-decency-act.md), [backpage](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/backpage.md), [sex trafficking](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/sex-trafficking.md), [google](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/google.md)

### Backpage Adult Services Shutdown, Section 230 Legal Debate

- **Episode:** [894: Ash for Cash](https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/894-ash-for-cash.md)
- **Published:** 2017-01-12
- **Time:** 1:30:14–1:41:45
- **Transcript:** https://search.noagendashow.net/episode/894-ash-for-cash/chapter/backpage-adult-services-shutdown-section-230-legal-debate.md

Senator Rob Portman grilled the CEO of Backpage over the site's practice of stripping "code words" from advertisements, arguing this constitutes editorializing. This legal battle over Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act has significant implications for the liability of all internet platforms regarding user-generated content.

Keywords: [backpage](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/backpage.md), [section 230](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/section-230.md), [rob portman](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/rob-portman.md), [human trafficking](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/human-trafficking.md), [communications decency act](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/communications-decency-act.md), [censorship](https://search.noagendashow.net/topic/censorship.md)

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