DOJ’s Comedy of Errors: Attempt to Rewrite Section 230 Flops Spectacularly
In a plot twist worthy of a sitcom, DOJ officials under Trump’s first administration tried to sneakily weaken Section 230 while juggling orders and proposals like hot potatoes. Their antics included chatting up Senate staffers and critiquing amendments like picky food critics. Spoiler alert: none of their plans made it to law.
Hot Take:
Well, it seems the Department of Justice was busy playing online speech police. Who knew they’d be so keen on rewriting internet laws with all the enthusiasm of someone trying to rewrite their high school yearbook quote? Their behind-the-scenes chess game with lawmakers was like a bad season of a cyber-drama, complete with plot twists, secret meetings, and a surprise executive order that left them as shocked as a cat in a bathtub. If only they had put the same effort into finding my missing socks…
Key Points:
- The Department of Justice (DOJ) worked with lawmakers to limit Section 230, a law protecting online speech.
- Documents showed DOJ’s involvement with the EARN IT Act and PACT Act, neither of which became law.
- DOJ’s attempt to weaken Section 230 predated Trump’s executive order targeting social media.
- Efforts included communicating with organizations to impose age-verification systems for sexual content.
- DOJ was critical of amendments to the EARN IT Act, deeming them undermining to their goals.