From what I read there I am not quite clear that this actually does anything.
Agreed. Not sure he can do anything and not sure he did.
It’s certainly not clear whether Trump’s E.O. will actually take effect (layers of arms-length authority in the way, as I read it). However, IMHO, removing the protection of S.230 is exactly the right remedy. If a social-media company chooses to continue censoring, they will be exposed to ruinous lawsuits. That’s got to make a difference.
It is a warning shot to anti - free speech fascists.
The order did nothing. It was a warning. I don’t know why he doesn’t simply get on with it.
It chaps the LIEberals....I’ve been hearing their wailing all day on Facebook. I point out that they are the same folks who were pushing for the Fairness Doctrine not so long ago.
This is huge.
It closes the loophole (that never really existed) where we can sue social media now for libel and slander *If* they continue to police content like they do. Which effectively makes social media dead. Can you imagine how crappy it would be to post something happening now and needing to wait several weeks before it gets reviewed/approved as ok?
The Section230 rule was meant to allow web based companies to remove content like child porn and snuff films without being considered an editor/publisher. It’s a big deal because if you’re an editor/publisher you can be sued for libel. Anyway social media has gone beyond just removing very bad stuff, they are now trying to tell you what they think is true, right, wrong, good, and bad is. It goes well beyond the intention of section 230.
So they need to stop doing the fact checking and deleting of posts or be subject to lawsuits. So next time some lefty says something online and libels/slanders me...I get to sue facebook. Even if I don’t win, the case will go forward. Facebook/twitter/youtube will be overrun with cases. Some they will win some they won’t. But overall they lose no matter what because that costs a lot of money and it opens them up to discovery.
This is a big nail in the coffin if they continue to operate this way.
It does nothing, except direct executive departments under Pres. Trump's control to investigate regulatory action over the big three: Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Its a symbolic shot across the bow to persuade the big three to clean up their act. And it will have the desired effect if combined with anti-trust action.