Re:Should Facebook, Google be liable for user posts? asks U....
by yibg on Thursday February 20, 2020 @12:32PM
(#22376778)
The cynic in me says this is intentional. The more control over facts there are from any source the more limits there are in general to the spread of information and general discourse. From the governments perspective this is probably desired.
Re:Should Facebook, Google be liable for user posts? asks U....
by rayiner on Thursday February 20, 2020 @02:10PM
(#22377666)
> That law isn't about protecting Facebook or Google it's about ensuring that anyone can express themselves online without needing a highly paid lawyer and a protracted trial to do so.
If you post something defamatory on Facebook, you can be sued, but under Section 230 Facebook cannot. I happen to think that's a good arrangement, but it's definitely about "protecting Facebook or Google," and not about protecting the individuals "express[ing] themselves online."
Re:Should Facebook, Google be liable for user posts? asks U....
by heavyset_go on Thursday February 20, 2020 @09:21PM
(#22380454)
> not about protecting the individuals "express[ing] themselves online."
Who in their right mind would host content created by individuals online? GeoCities, blogs and personal sites wouldn't exist as they did or do today.
Re:Should Facebook, Google be liable for user posts? asks U....
by notamanager on Thursday February 20, 2020 @02:51PM
(#22377966)
If Facebook were liable they wouldn't allow the posting or even the possibility of posting in the first place, the law protects individual rights by keeping the liability onus on the author as opposed to the "publisher".
That law isn't about protecting Facebook or Google it's about ensuring that anyone can express themselves online without needing a highly paid lawyer and a protracted trial to do so.
It also isn't about publisher vs. platform, section 230 protects the Times from being sued for comments on their website same as for any bigger or smaller operation.
It's tragic how the powers that be in this country are trying to insert a lawyer into every transaction like it's a jobs program, and the infuriating part is that they are trying to convince people that it's for their own benefit.