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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 48 (from laksa137)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa048.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/donald-trump-twitter-section-230-7146371/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/donald-trump-twitter-section-230-7146371/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/donald-trump-twitter-section-230-7146371\/","crawl_time":1775425449,"first_indexed_time":1610630073,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,indianexpress!\/article\/explained\/donald-trump-twitter-section-230-7146371\/ s443","src_root_hash":"7395223137269364848","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Explained: What is Section 230, the law used to ban Trump from Twitter? | Explained News - The Indian Express","meta_descriptions":["Over the years, reform of Section 230 has been a bipartisan issue — with both the Democrats and the Republicans calling for it to be amended, if not repealed."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Soon after a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol last week, his social media accounts\nwere suspended\nby Big Tech companies like Twitter and Facebook for his alleged role in inciting violence and spreading misinformation. The incident spurred a renewed debate about Section 230 of the US’ Communications Decency Act — the controversial piece of internet legislation that permitted these tech companies to flex their powers and ban the president in the first place.\nOver the years, reform of Section 230 has been a bipartisan issue — with both the Democrats and the Republicans calling for it to be amended, if not repealed. President Trump, himself, has been a vocal critic of the law, which shields tech companies from being held accountable for what users post online. President-elect\nJoe Biden\n, too, has criticised the law and even proposed revoking it completely.\nBut while the law is widely criticised, most agree that it is essential for ensuring a relatively free, safe and open internet.\nWhat is Section 230?\nSection 230 of the Communications Decency Act was passed in 1996 and provides legal immunity to internet companies for content that is shared on their websites. The act was first introduced to regulate pornography online. Section 230 is an amendment to the act, which holds users responsible for their comments and posts online.\nAn image showing Donald Trump’s suspended Twitter account. (Image source: AP)\nAccording to the regulation, “No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.”\nThis means that online companies, including social media platforms, are not liable for the content shared on their website by its users. So if a user posts something illegal on the website, the company is protected from lawsuits. In addition, the regulation also states that private companies have the right to remove content that violates their guidelines and values. Thus, the big tech companies were well within their rights when they decided to suspend Trump’s accounts.\nThe legislation was drafted by Democratic Senator from Oregon Ron Wyden and Republican Congressman from South Carolina Chris Cox over two decades ago to encourage up-and-coming technology companies and to protect free speech, enshrined in the first amendment of the US Constitution. The international digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation calls Section 230 “the important law protecting internet speech”.\nStory continues below this ad\nWhat has it got to do with the siege on Capitol Hill?\nSoon after a violent mob of US President\nDonald Trump\n’s supporters stormed the historic US Capitol building last Wednesday, the finger of blame was pointed at social media platforms and online forums — where right-wing extremists were openly planning the attack for weeks.\nTrump supporters left a flag outside the Capitol, Wednesday evening, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP)\nThe posts, in which the US President’s supporters described how they would break into the Capitol, have prompted questions over why violent content is often unregulated on social media sites. Facing growing backlash, Facebook, Twitter and Google started to crack down heavily on social media users sharing inflammatory content online.\nFrom Google suspending pro-Trump social media site Parler, to President Trump being banned from nearly every major social media platform — big tech firms left no stone unturned. The reason they were able to respond to the incident so swiftly and with such ferocity is largely because of Section 230, as it protects these companies from lawsuits in the future.\nWhy is Section 230 widely criticised?\nWhile the regulation has far reaching consequences for social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, its critics are quick to point out that it was passed before social media existed in its present form. Political leaders and internet activists have long called for the law to be updated.\nStory continues below this ad\nMore conservative critics of the regulation argue that it effectively permits big tech to participate in politically partisan activity. Republican lawmakers, including Trump, have alleged that platforms like Twitter and Facebook exhibit a clear bias against conservative voices and often abuse Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to censor right-leaning users.\nOn the other hand, some argue that the law permits websites like 4chan and Parler — used by many right wing extremists — to refrain from moderating hate speech and violent content, regardless of how derogatory or vile it may be.\nIn an interview with the New York Times last year, President-elect Joe Biden called for the regulation to be “revoked, immediately” as it helped tech companies propagate “falsehoods they know to be false”. “I, for one, think we should be considering taking away [Facebook’s] exemption that they cannot be sued for knowingly engaged on, in promoting something that’s not true,” he said in an earlier interview with CNN.\nWebsites have also faced backlash for the content that they do choose to moderate. For instance, in 2014, Facebook was widely criticised for its inconsistent nudity rules when it took down a photograph of a mother breastfeeding her premature baby.\nStory continues below this ad\nHas Trump tried to change the law?\nIn May 2020, President Trump issued an executive order that targeted the legal protection offered to tech companies under Section 230. He took this step after Twitter started labelling his tweets about voting by mail as misinformation. In response, the President alleged that the social media platforms were selectively censoring content as part of a wider conspiracy to “rig the election” against him.\nTrump’s order called for regulators to reassess the definition of Section 230 and directed agencies to collect complaints of political bias on social media platforms that could help revoke their legal immunity.\nAfter Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election, he went a step further and called for the regulation to be completely revoked. Last month, he threatened to veto the National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA), an annual defence bill authorising billions in military spending, unless Congress agreed to repeal Section 23 completely.\n“Section 230, which is a liability shielding gift from the U.S. to “Big Tech” (the only companies in America that have it – corporate welfare!), is a serious threat to our National Security & Election Integrity. Our Country can never be safe & secure if we allow it to stand…,” Trump tweeted late last month. He added that if the “very dangerous & unfair Section 230 is not completely terminated as part of the [NDAA], I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the Bill when sent to the very beautiful Resolute desk.”\nStory continues below this ad\nTrump claimed Section 230 facilitated the spread of foreign disinformation online. However, members of Congress were quick to clap back at Trump, saying the NDAA had little to do with social media companies.","attrs_markdown":"[![Award Trophy](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/wp-content\/themes\/indianexpress\/templates\/top-head-band\/images\/screen\/award.webp) ![Chetak](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/wp-content\/themes\/indianexpress\/templates\/top-head-band\/images\/screen\/chetak-teal.svg) ![Screen](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/wp-content\/themes\/indianexpress\/templates\/top-head-band\/images\/screen\/screenbanner.svg) Co Presented By ![Campa](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/wp-content\/themes\/indianexpress\/templates\/top-head-band\/images\/screen\/campa.svg) Celebration Partner ![McDowell's Soda](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/wp-content\/themes\/indianexpress\/templates\/top-head-band\/images\/screen\/mc-dowells-soda.svg) State Partner 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[News](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/?ref=breadcrumb_article)\n2. [Explained](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/section\/explained\/?ref=breadcrumb_article)\n3. Explained: What is Section 230, the law used to ban Trump from Twitter?\n\nPremium\n\nThis is an archive article published on January 14, 2021\n\n# Explained: What is Section 230, the law used to ban Trump from Twitter?\n## Over the years, reform of Section 230 has been a bipartisan issue — with both the Democrats and the Republicans calling for it to be amended, if not repealed.\n\nWritten by: [Rahel Philipose](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/profile\/author\/rahel-philipose\/)\n\n7 min read*Panaji*Updated: Jan 19, 2021 11:03 AM IST\n\n![President Donald Trump looks at his phone, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon, File)](https:\/\/images.indianexpress.com\/2021\/01\/Trump-17.jpg?w=1600)President Donald Trump looks at his phone, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo\/Alex Brandon, File)\n\n[Make us preferred source on Google](https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=indianexpress.com)\n\n*![whatsapp](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/wp-content\/themes\/indianexpress\/images\/opinion\/images\/icon-wapp-share.svg)*\n\nWhatsapp\n\n*![twitter](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/wp-content\/themes\/indianexpress\/images\/opinion\/images\/twitter-preferred.svg)*\n\ntwitter\n\n*![facebook](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/wp-content\/themes\/indianexpress\/images\/opinion\/images\/icon-fb-share.svg)*\n\nFacebook\n\n*![Reddit](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/wp-content\/themes\/indianexpress\/images\/black-icon-reddit.svg)*\n\nReddit\n\n![Print](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/wp-content\/themes\/indianexpress\/images\/print.svg)PRINT\n\nSoon after a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol last week, his social media accounts [**were suspended**](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/world\/twitter-donald-trump-account-suspended-capitol-hill-siege-7139139\/) by Big Tech companies like Twitter and Facebook for his alleged role in inciting violence and spreading misinformation. The incident spurred a renewed debate about Section 230 of the US’ Communications Decency Act — the controversial piece of internet legislation that permitted these tech companies to flex their powers and ban the president in the first place.\n\nOver the years, reform of Section 230 has been a bipartisan issue — with both the Democrats and the Republicans calling for it to be amended, if not repealed. President Trump, himself, has been a vocal critic of the law, which shields tech companies from being held accountable for what users post online. President-elect [Joe Biden](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/about\/joe-biden\/), too, has criticised the law and even proposed revoking it completely.\n\n![](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/wp-content\/themes\/indianexpress\/images\/default-ie.jpg)\n\nBut while the law is widely criticised, most agree that it is essential for ensuring a relatively free, safe and open internet.\n\n## What is Section 230?\nSection 230 of the Communications Decency Act was passed in 1996 and provides legal immunity to internet companies for content that is shared on their websites. The act was first introduced to regulate pornography online. Section 230 is an amendment to the act, which holds users responsible for their comments and posts online.\n\n![](https:\/\/images.indianexpress.com\/2021\/01\/Trump-Twitter-1.jpg) An image showing Donald Trump’s suspended Twitter account. (Image source: AP)\n\nAccording to the regulation, “No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.”\n\nThis means that online companies, including social media platforms, are not liable for the content shared on their website by its users. So if a user posts something illegal on the website, the company is protected from lawsuits. In addition, the regulation also states that private companies have the right to remove content that violates their guidelines and values. Thus, the big tech companies were well within their rights when they decided to suspend Trump’s accounts.\n\nThe legislation was drafted by Democratic Senator from Oregon Ron Wyden and Republican Congressman from South Carolina Chris Cox over two decades ago to encourage up-and-coming technology companies and to protect free speech, enshrined in the first amendment of the US Constitution. The international digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation calls Section 230 “the important law protecting internet speech”.\n\nStory continues below this ad\n\nAlso Explained \\| [Trump has been impeached a second time. What happens next?](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/donald-trump-impeachment-process-explained-senate-trial-7145943\/)\n\n## What has it got to do with the siege on Capitol Hill?\nSoon after a violent mob of US President [Donald Trump](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/about\/donald-trump\/)’s supporters stormed the historic US Capitol building last Wednesday, the finger of blame was pointed at social media platforms and online forums — where right-wing extremists were openly planning the attack for weeks.\n\n![](https:\/\/images.indianexpress.com\/2021\/01\/Washington.jpg) Trump supporters left a flag outside the Capitol, Wednesday evening, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP)\n\nThe posts, in which the US President’s supporters described how they would break into the Capitol, have prompted questions over why violent content is often unregulated on social media sites. Facing growing backlash, Facebook, Twitter and Google started to crack down heavily on social media users sharing inflammatory content online.\n\nFrom Google suspending pro-Trump social media site Parler, to President Trump being banned from nearly every major social media platform — big tech firms left no stone unturned. The reason they were able to respond to the incident so swiftly and with such ferocity is largely because of Section 230, as it protects these companies from lawsuits in the future.\n\n[📣 JOIN NOW 📣: The Express Explained Telegram Channel](https:\/\/t.me\/ieexplained)\n\n## Why is Section 230 widely criticised?\nWhile the regulation has far reaching consequences for social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, its critics are quick to point out that it was passed before social media existed in its present form. Political leaders and internet activists have long called for the law to be updated.\n\nStory continues below this ad\n\nMore conservative critics of the regulation argue that it effectively permits big tech to participate in politically partisan activity. Republican lawmakers, including Trump, have alleged that platforms like Twitter and Facebook exhibit a clear bias against conservative voices and often abuse Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to censor right-leaning users.\n\nOn the other hand, some argue that the law permits websites like 4chan and Parler — used by many right wing extremists — to refrain from moderating hate speech and violent content, regardless of how derogatory or vile it may be.\n\nIn an interview with the New York Times last year, President-elect Joe Biden called for the regulation to be “revoked, immediately” as it helped tech companies propagate “falsehoods they know to be false”. “I, for one, think we should be considering taking away \\[Facebook’s\\] exemption that they cannot be sued for knowingly engaged on, in promoting something that’s not true,” he said in an earlier interview with CNN.\n\nWebsites have also faced backlash for the content that they do choose to moderate. For instance, in 2014, Facebook was widely criticised for its inconsistent nudity rules when it took down a photograph of a mother breastfeeding her premature baby.\n\nStory continues below this ad\n\n[Coronavirus Explained](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/section\/explained\/)\n\n- [After tax havens, dirty money finds a new home: Cryptocurrency](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/shorts\/express-exclusive\/after-tax-havens-dirty-money-finds-a-new-home-cryptocurrency\/)\n- [Agencies track trail: India to China via Dubai and Cambodia](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/shorts\/express-exclusive\/agencies-track-trail-india-china-via-dubai-cambodia-10370123\/)\n- [\\$2.6 bn in 2024, \\$15 bn by 2035: Growing unchecked, no guardrails](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/crypto-currency-coin-laundry-unchecked-guardrails-10370130\/)\n\n[Click here for more](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/about\/coronavirus\/)\n## Has Trump tried to change the law?\nIn May 2020, President Trump issued an executive order that targeted the legal protection offered to tech companies under Section 230. He took this step after Twitter started labelling his tweets about voting by mail as misinformation. In response, the President alleged that the social media platforms were selectively censoring content as part of a wider conspiracy to “rig the election” against him.\n\nTrump’s order called for regulators to reassess the definition of Section 230 and directed agencies to collect complaints of political bias on social media platforms that could help revoke their legal immunity.\n\nAfter Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election, he went a step further and called for the regulation to be completely revoked. Last month, he threatened to veto the National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA), an annual defence bill authorising billions in military spending, unless Congress agreed to repeal Section 23 completely.\n\n“Section 230, which is a liability shielding gift from the U.S. to “Big Tech” (the only companies in America that have it – corporate welfare!), is a serious threat to our National Security & Election Integrity. Our Country can never be safe & secure if we allow it to stand…,” Trump tweeted late last month. He added that if the “very dangerous & unfair Section 230 is not completely terminated as part of the \\[NDAA\\], I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the Bill when sent to the very beautiful Resolute desk.”\n\nStory continues below this ad\n\nTrump claimed Section 230 facilitated the spread of foreign disinformation online. However, members of Congress were quick to clap back at Trump, saying the NDAA had little to do with social media companies.\n\nExpand\n\n© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd\n\nThis article went live on January fourteenth, twenty twenty-one, at thirty-two minutes past six in the evening.\n\n- Tags:\n- [donald trump](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/about\/donald-trump\/)\n- [Explained Global](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/about\/explained-global\/)\n- [Express Explained](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/about\/express-explained\/)\n- [Twitter](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/about\/twitter\/)\n\nAdvertisement\n\nLoading Recommendations...\n\n[Apr 05: Latest News](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/latest-news\/)\n\n- [Ravi Bishnoi takes 4 wickets as Rajasthan Royals defeat Gujarat Titans in a thriller](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/sports\/cricket\/ravi-bishnoi-4-wickets-rajasthan-royals-gujarat-titans-thriller-10619363\/?ref=rhs_apr_05_latest_news_explained)\n  [![Ravi Bishnoi rajasthan Royals](https:\/\/images.indianexpress.com\/2026\/04\/Bishnoi-2.jpg?resize=150,83)](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/sports\/cricket\/ravi-bishnoi-4-wickets-rajasthan-royals-gujarat-titans-thriller-10619363\/?ref=rhs_apr_05_latest_news_explained \"Ravi Bishnoi rajasthan Royals\")\n- [Payal Nag, who saw Sheetal Devi’s video and started Para Archery, defeats her idol for gold medal](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/sports\/sport-others\/payal-nag-sheetal-devi-idol-para-archery-gold-medal-10619360\/?ref=rhs_apr_05_latest_news_explained)\n  [![Payal Nag archery](https:\/\/images.indianexpress.com\/2026\/04\/Payal-Nag.jpg?resize=150,83)](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/sports\/sport-others\/payal-nag-sheetal-devi-idol-para-archery-gold-medal-10619360\/?ref=rhs_apr_05_latest_news_explained \"Payal Nag archery\")\n- [15 kg in 50 days? 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[CSR](https:\/\/expressgroup.indianexpress.com\/corporate-social-responsibility.html)\n\nCopyright © 2026 The Indian Express \\[P\\] Ltd. All Rights Reserved\n\n[![Powered by WordPress.com VIP](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/wp-content\/themes\/indianexpress\/images\/vip-powered-logo.png)](https:\/\/vip.wordpress.com\/?utm_source=vip_powered_wpcom&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=VIP%20Footer%20Credit&utm_term=indianexpress.com)\n\n![](https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/tr?id=444470064056909&ev=PageView&noscript=1)\n\nfollow","attrs_readable_markdown":"Soon after a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol last week, his social media accounts [**were suspended**](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/world\/twitter-donald-trump-account-suspended-capitol-hill-siege-7139139\/) by Big Tech companies like Twitter and Facebook for his alleged role in inciting violence and spreading misinformation. The incident spurred a renewed debate about Section 230 of the US’ Communications Decency Act — the controversial piece of internet legislation that permitted these tech companies to flex their powers and ban the president in the first place.\n\nOver the years, reform of Section 230 has been a bipartisan issue — with both the Democrats and the Republicans calling for it to be amended, if not repealed. President Trump, himself, has been a vocal critic of the law, which shields tech companies from being held accountable for what users post online. President-elect [Joe Biden](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/about\/joe-biden\/), too, has criticised the law and even proposed revoking it completely.\n\nBut while the law is widely criticised, most agree that it is essential for ensuring a relatively free, safe and open internet.\n\n## What is Section 230?\nSection 230 of the Communications Decency Act was passed in 1996 and provides legal immunity to internet companies for content that is shared on their websites. The act was first introduced to regulate pornography online. Section 230 is an amendment to the act, which holds users responsible for their comments and posts online.\n\n![](https:\/\/images.indianexpress.com\/2021\/01\/Trump-Twitter-1.jpg) An image showing Donald Trump’s suspended Twitter account. (Image source: AP)\n\nAccording to the regulation, “No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.”\n\nThis means that online companies, including social media platforms, are not liable for the content shared on their website by its users. So if a user posts something illegal on the website, the company is protected from lawsuits. In addition, the regulation also states that private companies have the right to remove content that violates their guidelines and values. Thus, the big tech companies were well within their rights when they decided to suspend Trump’s accounts.\n\nThe legislation was drafted by Democratic Senator from Oregon Ron Wyden and Republican Congressman from South Carolina Chris Cox over two decades ago to encourage up-and-coming technology companies and to protect free speech, enshrined in the first amendment of the US Constitution. The international digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation calls Section 230 “the important law protecting internet speech”.\n\nStory continues below this ad\n\n## What has it got to do with the siege on Capitol Hill?\nSoon after a violent mob of US President [Donald Trump](https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/about\/donald-trump\/)’s supporters stormed the historic US Capitol building last Wednesday, the finger of blame was pointed at social media platforms and online forums — where right-wing extremists were openly planning the attack for weeks.\n\n![](https:\/\/images.indianexpress.com\/2021\/01\/Washington.jpg) Trump supporters left a flag outside the Capitol, Wednesday evening, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP)\n\nThe posts, in which the US President’s supporters described how they would break into the Capitol, have prompted questions over why violent content is often unregulated on social media sites. Facing growing backlash, Facebook, Twitter and Google started to crack down heavily on social media users sharing inflammatory content online.\n\nFrom Google suspending pro-Trump social media site Parler, to President Trump being banned from nearly every major social media platform — big tech firms left no stone unturned. The reason they were able to respond to the incident so swiftly and with such ferocity is largely because of Section 230, as it protects these companies from lawsuits in the future.\n\n## Why is Section 230 widely criticised?\nWhile the regulation has far reaching consequences for social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, its critics are quick to point out that it was passed before social media existed in its present form. Political leaders and internet activists have long called for the law to be updated.\n\nStory continues below this ad\n\nMore conservative critics of the regulation argue that it effectively permits big tech to participate in politically partisan activity. Republican lawmakers, including Trump, have alleged that platforms like Twitter and Facebook exhibit a clear bias against conservative voices and often abuse Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to censor right-leaning users.\n\nOn the other hand, some argue that the law permits websites like 4chan and Parler — used by many right wing extremists — to refrain from moderating hate speech and violent content, regardless of how derogatory or vile it may be.\n\nIn an interview with the New York Times last year, President-elect Joe Biden called for the regulation to be “revoked, immediately” as it helped tech companies propagate “falsehoods they know to be false”. “I, for one, think we should be considering taking away \\[Facebook’s\\] exemption that they cannot be sued for knowingly engaged on, in promoting something that’s not true,” he said in an earlier interview with CNN.\n\nWebsites have also faced backlash for the content that they do choose to moderate. For instance, in 2014, Facebook was widely criticised for its inconsistent nudity rules when it took down a photograph of a mother breastfeeding her premature baby.\n\nStory continues below this ad\n\n## Has Trump tried to change the law?\nIn May 2020, President Trump issued an executive order that targeted the legal protection offered to tech companies under Section 230. He took this step after Twitter started labelling his tweets about voting by mail as misinformation. In response, the President alleged that the social media platforms were selectively censoring content as part of a wider conspiracy to “rig the election” against him.\n\nTrump’s order called for regulators to reassess the definition of Section 230 and directed agencies to collect complaints of political bias on social media platforms that could help revoke their legal immunity.\n\nAfter Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election, he went a step further and called for the regulation to be completely revoked. Last month, he threatened to veto the National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA), an annual defence bill authorising billions in military spending, unless Congress agreed to repeal Section 23 completely.\n\n“Section 230, which is a liability shielding gift from the U.S. to “Big Tech” (the only companies in America that have it – corporate welfare!), is a serious threat to our National Security & Election Integrity. Our Country can never be safe & secure if we allow it to stand…,” Trump tweeted late last month. He added that if the “very dangerous & unfair Section 230 is not completely terminated as part of the \\[NDAA\\], I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the Bill when sent to the very beautiful Resolute desk.”\n\nStory continues below this ad\n\nTrump claimed Section 230 facilitated the spread of foreign disinformation online. However, members of Congress were quick to clap back at Trump, saying the NDAA had little to do with social media companies.","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Explained: What is Section 230, the law used to ban Trump from Twitter? \| Explained News - The Indian Express
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Boilerpipe Text	Soon after a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol last week, his social media accounts were suspended by Big Tech companies like Twitter and Facebook for his alleged role in inciting violence and spreading misinformation. The incident spurred a renewed debate about Section 230 of the US’ Communications Decency Act — the controversial piece of internet legislation that permitted these tech companies to flex their powers and ban the president in the first place. Over the years, reform of Section 230 has been a bipartisan issue — with both the Democrats and the Republicans calling for it to be amended, if not repealed. President Trump, himself, has been a vocal critic of the law, which shields tech companies from being held accountable for what users post online. President-elect Joe Biden , too, has criticised the law and even proposed revoking it completely. But while the law is widely criticised, most agree that it is essential for ensuring a relatively free, safe and open internet. What is Section 230? Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act was passed in 1996 and provides legal immunity to internet companies for content that is shared on their websites. The act was first introduced to regulate pornography online. Section 230 is an amendment to the act, which holds users responsible for their comments and posts online. An image showing Donald Trump’s suspended Twitter account. (Image source: AP) According to the regulation, “No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.” This means that online companies, including social media platforms, are not liable for the content shared on their website by its users. So if a user posts something illegal on the website, the company is protected from lawsuits. In addition, the regulation also states that private companies have the right to remove content that violates their guidelines and values. Thus, the big tech companies were well within their rights when they decided to suspend Trump’s accounts. The legislation was drafted by Democratic Senator from Oregon Ron Wyden and Republican Congressman from South Carolina Chris Cox over two decades ago to encourage up-and-coming technology companies and to protect free speech, enshrined in the first amendment of the US Constitution. The international digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation calls Section 230 “the important law protecting internet speech”. Story continues below this ad What has it got to do with the siege on Capitol Hill? Soon after a violent mob of US President Donald Trump ’s supporters stormed the historic US Capitol building last Wednesday, the finger of blame was pointed at social media platforms and online forums — where right-wing extremists were openly planning the attack for weeks. Trump supporters left a flag outside the Capitol, Wednesday evening, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP) The posts, in which the US President’s supporters described how they would break into the Capitol, have prompted questions over why violent content is often unregulated on social media sites. Facing growing backlash, Facebook, Twitter and Google started to crack down heavily on social media users sharing inflammatory content online. From Google suspending pro-Trump social media site Parler, to President Trump being banned from nearly every major social media platform — big tech firms left no stone unturned. The reason they were able to respond to the incident so swiftly and with such ferocity is largely because of Section 230, as it protects these companies from lawsuits in the future. Why is Section 230 widely criticised? While the regulation has far reaching consequences for social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, its critics are quick to point out that it was passed before social media existed in its present form. Political leaders and internet activists have long called for the law to be updated. Story continues below this ad More conservative critics of the regulation argue that it effectively permits big tech to participate in politically partisan activity. Republican lawmakers, including Trump, have alleged that platforms like Twitter and Facebook exhibit a clear bias against conservative voices and often abuse Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to censor right-leaning users. On the other hand, some argue that the law permits websites like 4chan and Parler — used by many right wing extremists — to refrain from moderating hate speech and violent content, regardless of how derogatory or vile it may be. In an interview with the New York Times last year, President-elect Joe Biden called for the regulation to be “revoked, immediately” as it helped tech companies propagate “falsehoods they know to be false”. “I, for one, think we should be considering taking away [Facebook’s] exemption that they cannot be sued for knowingly engaged on, in promoting something that’s not true,” he said in an earlier interview with CNN. Websites have also faced backlash for the content that they do choose to moderate. For instance, in 2014, Facebook was widely criticised for its inconsistent nudity rules when it took down a photograph of a mother breastfeeding her premature baby. Story continues below this ad Has Trump tried to change the law? In May 2020, President Trump issued an executive order that targeted the legal protection offered to tech companies under Section 230. He took this step after Twitter started labelling his tweets about voting by mail as misinformation. In response, the President alleged that the social media platforms were selectively censoring content as part of a wider conspiracy to “rig the election” against him. Trump’s order called for regulators to reassess the definition of Section 230 and directed agencies to collect complaints of political bias on social media platforms that could help revoke their legal immunity. After Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election, he went a step further and called for the regulation to be completely revoked. Last month, he threatened to veto the National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA), an annual defence bill authorising billions in military spending, unless Congress agreed to repeal Section 23 completely. “Section 230, which is a liability shielding gift from the U.S. to “Big Tech” (the only companies in America that have it – corporate welfare!), is a serious threat to our National Security & Election Integrity. Our Country can never be safe & secure if we allow it to stand…,” Trump tweeted late last month. He added that if the “very dangerous & unfair Section 230 is not completely terminated as part of the [NDAA], I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the Bill when sent to the very beautiful Resolute desk.” Story continues below this ad Trump claimed Section 230 facilitated the spread of foreign disinformation online. However, members of Congress were quick to clap back at Trump, saying the NDAA had little to do with social media companies.
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[News](https://indianexpress.com/?ref=breadcrumb_article) 2. [Explained](https://indianexpress.com/section/explained/?ref=breadcrumb_article) 3. Explained: What is Section 230, the law used to ban Trump from Twitter? Premium This is an archive article published on January 14, 2021 # Explained: What is Section 230, the law used to ban Trump from Twitter? ## Over the years, reform of Section 230 has been a bipartisan issue — with both the Democrats and the Republicans calling for it to be amended, if not repealed. Written by: [Rahel Philipose](https://indianexpress.com/profile/author/rahel-philipose/) 7 min readPanajiUpdated: Jan 19, 2021 11:03 AM IST ![President Donald Trump looks at his phone, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)](https://images.indianexpress.com/2021/01/Trump-17.jpg?w=1600)President Donald Trump looks at his phone, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) [Make us preferred source on Google](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=indianexpress.com) ![whatsapp](https://indianexpress.com/wp-content/themes/indianexpress/images/opinion/images/icon-wapp-share.svg) Whatsapp ![twitter](https://indianexpress.com/wp-content/themes/indianexpress/images/opinion/images/twitter-preferred.svg) twitter ![facebook](https://indianexpress.com/wp-content/themes/indianexpress/images/opinion/images/icon-fb-share.svg) Facebook ![Reddit](https://indianexpress.com/wp-content/themes/indianexpress/images/black-icon-reddit.svg) Reddit ![Print](https://indianexpress.com/wp-content/themes/indianexpress/images/print.svg)PRINT Soon after a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol last week, his social media accounts [were suspended](https://indianexpress.com/article/world/twitter-donald-trump-account-suspended-capitol-hill-siege-7139139/) by Big Tech companies like Twitter and Facebook for his alleged role in inciting violence and spreading misinformation. The incident spurred a renewed debate about Section 230 of the US’ Communications Decency Act — the controversial piece of internet legislation that permitted these tech companies to flex their powers and ban the president in the first place. Over the years, reform of Section 230 has been a bipartisan issue — with both the Democrats and the Republicans calling for it to be amended, if not repealed. President Trump, himself, has been a vocal critic of the law, which shields tech companies from being held accountable for what users post online. President-elect [Joe Biden](https://indianexpress.com/about/joe-biden/), too, has criticised the law and even proposed revoking it completely. ![](https://indianexpress.com/wp-content/themes/indianexpress/images/default-ie.jpg) But while the law is widely criticised, most agree that it is essential for ensuring a relatively free, safe and open internet. ## What is Section 230? Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act was passed in 1996 and provides legal immunity to internet companies for content that is shared on their websites. The act was first introduced to regulate pornography online. Section 230 is an amendment to the act, which holds users responsible for their comments and posts online. ![](https://images.indianexpress.com/2021/01/Trump-Twitter-1.jpg) An image showing Donald Trump’s suspended Twitter account. (Image source: AP) According to the regulation, “No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.” This means that online companies, including social media platforms, are not liable for the content shared on their website by its users. So if a user posts something illegal on the website, the company is protected from lawsuits. In addition, the regulation also states that private companies have the right to remove content that violates their guidelines and values. Thus, the big tech companies were well within their rights when they decided to suspend Trump’s accounts. The legislation was drafted by Democratic Senator from Oregon Ron Wyden and Republican Congressman from South Carolina Chris Cox over two decades ago to encourage up-and-coming technology companies and to protect free speech, enshrined in the first amendment of the US Constitution. The international digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation calls Section 230 “the important law protecting internet speech”. Story continues below this ad Also Explained \\| [Trump has been impeached a second time. What happens next?](https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/donald-trump-impeachment-process-explained-senate-trial-7145943/) ## What has it got to do with the siege on Capitol Hill? Soon after a violent mob of US President [Donald Trump](https://indianexpress.com/about/donald-trump/)’s supporters stormed the historic US Capitol building last Wednesday, the finger of blame was pointed at social media platforms and online forums — where right-wing extremists were openly planning the attack for weeks. ![](https://images.indianexpress.com/2021/01/Washington.jpg) Trump supporters left a flag outside the Capitol, Wednesday evening, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP) The posts, in which the US President’s supporters described how they would break into the Capitol, have prompted questions over why violent content is often unregulated on social media sites. Facing growing backlash, Facebook, Twitter and Google started to crack down heavily on social media users sharing inflammatory content online. From Google suspending pro-Trump social media site Parler, to President Trump being banned from nearly every major social media platform — big tech firms left no stone unturned. The reason they were able to respond to the incident so swiftly and with such ferocity is largely because of Section 230, as it protects these companies from lawsuits in the future. [📣 JOIN NOW 📣: The Express Explained Telegram Channel](https://t.me/ieexplained) ## Why is Section 230 widely criticised? While the regulation has far reaching consequences for social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, its critics are quick to point out that it was passed before social media existed in its present form. Political leaders and internet activists have long called for the law to be updated. Story continues below this ad More conservative critics of the regulation argue that it effectively permits big tech to participate in politically partisan activity. Republican lawmakers, including Trump, have alleged that platforms like Twitter and Facebook exhibit a clear bias against conservative voices and often abuse Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to censor right-leaning users. On the other hand, some argue that the law permits websites like 4chan and Parler — used by many right wing extremists — to refrain from moderating hate speech and violent content, regardless of how derogatory or vile it may be. In an interview with the New York Times last year, President-elect Joe Biden called for the regulation to be “revoked, immediately” as it helped tech companies propagate “falsehoods they know to be false”. “I, for one, think we should be considering taking away \[Facebook’s\] exemption that they cannot be sued for knowingly engaged on, in promoting something that’s not true,” he said in an earlier interview with CNN. Websites have also faced backlash for the content that they do choose to moderate. For instance, in 2014, Facebook was widely criticised for its inconsistent nudity rules when it took down a photograph of a mother breastfeeding her premature baby. Story continues below this ad [Coronavirus Explained](https://indianexpress.com/section/explained/) - [After tax havens, dirty money finds a new home: Cryptocurrency](https://indianexpress.com/shorts/express-exclusive/after-tax-havens-dirty-money-finds-a-new-home-cryptocurrency/) - [Agencies track trail: India to China via Dubai and Cambodia](https://indianexpress.com/shorts/express-exclusive/agencies-track-trail-india-china-via-dubai-cambodia-10370123/) - [\$2.6 bn in 2024, \$15 bn by 2035: Growing unchecked, no guardrails](https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/crypto-currency-coin-laundry-unchecked-guardrails-10370130/) [Click here for more](https://indianexpress.com/about/coronavirus/) ## Has Trump tried to change the law? In May 2020, President Trump issued an executive order that targeted the legal protection offered to tech companies under Section 230. He took this step after Twitter started labelling his tweets about voting by mail as misinformation. In response, the President alleged that the social media platforms were selectively censoring content as part of a wider conspiracy to “rig the election” against him. Trump’s order called for regulators to reassess the definition of Section 230 and directed agencies to collect complaints of political bias on social media platforms that could help revoke their legal immunity. After Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election, he went a step further and called for the regulation to be completely revoked. Last month, he threatened to veto the National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA), an annual defence bill authorising billions in military spending, unless Congress agreed to repeal Section 23 completely. “Section 230, which is a liability shielding gift from the U.S. to “Big Tech” (the only companies in America that have it – corporate welfare!), is a serious threat to our National Security & Election Integrity. Our Country can never be safe & secure if we allow it to stand…,” Trump tweeted late last month. He added that if the “very dangerous & unfair Section 230 is not completely terminated as part of the \[NDAA\], I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the Bill when sent to the very beautiful Resolute desk.” Story continues below this ad Trump claimed Section 230 facilitated the spread of foreign disinformation online. However, members of Congress were quick to clap back at Trump, saying the NDAA had little to do with social media companies. 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Readable Markdown	Soon after a mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol last week, his social media accounts [were suspended](https://indianexpress.com/article/world/twitter-donald-trump-account-suspended-capitol-hill-siege-7139139/) by Big Tech companies like Twitter and Facebook for his alleged role in inciting violence and spreading misinformation. The incident spurred a renewed debate about Section 230 of the US’ Communications Decency Act — the controversial piece of internet legislation that permitted these tech companies to flex their powers and ban the president in the first place. Over the years, reform of Section 230 has been a bipartisan issue — with both the Democrats and the Republicans calling for it to be amended, if not repealed. President Trump, himself, has been a vocal critic of the law, which shields tech companies from being held accountable for what users post online. President-elect [Joe Biden](https://indianexpress.com/about/joe-biden/), too, has criticised the law and even proposed revoking it completely. But while the law is widely criticised, most agree that it is essential for ensuring a relatively free, safe and open internet. ## What is Section 230? Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act was passed in 1996 and provides legal immunity to internet companies for content that is shared on their websites. The act was first introduced to regulate pornography online. Section 230 is an amendment to the act, which holds users responsible for their comments and posts online. ![](https://images.indianexpress.com/2021/01/Trump-Twitter-1.jpg) An image showing Donald Trump’s suspended Twitter account. (Image source: AP) According to the regulation, “No provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider.” This means that online companies, including social media platforms, are not liable for the content shared on their website by its users. So if a user posts something illegal on the website, the company is protected from lawsuits. In addition, the regulation also states that private companies have the right to remove content that violates their guidelines and values. Thus, the big tech companies were well within their rights when they decided to suspend Trump’s accounts. The legislation was drafted by Democratic Senator from Oregon Ron Wyden and Republican Congressman from South Carolina Chris Cox over two decades ago to encourage up-and-coming technology companies and to protect free speech, enshrined in the first amendment of the US Constitution. The international digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation calls Section 230 “the important law protecting internet speech”. Story continues below this ad ## What has it got to do with the siege on Capitol Hill? Soon after a violent mob of US President [Donald Trump](https://indianexpress.com/about/donald-trump/)’s supporters stormed the historic US Capitol building last Wednesday, the finger of blame was pointed at social media platforms and online forums — where right-wing extremists were openly planning the attack for weeks. ![](https://images.indianexpress.com/2021/01/Washington.jpg) Trump supporters left a flag outside the Capitol, Wednesday evening, Jan. 6, 2021, in Washington. (AP) The posts, in which the US President’s supporters described how they would break into the Capitol, have prompted questions over why violent content is often unregulated on social media sites. Facing growing backlash, Facebook, Twitter and Google started to crack down heavily on social media users sharing inflammatory content online. From Google suspending pro-Trump social media site Parler, to President Trump being banned from nearly every major social media platform — big tech firms left no stone unturned. The reason they were able to respond to the incident so swiftly and with such ferocity is largely because of Section 230, as it protects these companies from lawsuits in the future. ## Why is Section 230 widely criticised? While the regulation has far reaching consequences for social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, its critics are quick to point out that it was passed before social media existed in its present form. Political leaders and internet activists have long called for the law to be updated. Story continues below this ad More conservative critics of the regulation argue that it effectively permits big tech to participate in politically partisan activity. Republican lawmakers, including Trump, have alleged that platforms like Twitter and Facebook exhibit a clear bias against conservative voices and often abuse Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to censor right-leaning users. On the other hand, some argue that the law permits websites like 4chan and Parler — used by many right wing extremists — to refrain from moderating hate speech and violent content, regardless of how derogatory or vile it may be. In an interview with the New York Times last year, President-elect Joe Biden called for the regulation to be “revoked, immediately” as it helped tech companies propagate “falsehoods they know to be false”. “I, for one, think we should be considering taking away \[Facebook’s\] exemption that they cannot be sued for knowingly engaged on, in promoting something that’s not true,” he said in an earlier interview with CNN. Websites have also faced backlash for the content that they do choose to moderate. For instance, in 2014, Facebook was widely criticised for its inconsistent nudity rules when it took down a photograph of a mother breastfeeding her premature baby. Story continues below this ad ## Has Trump tried to change the law? In May 2020, President Trump issued an executive order that targeted the legal protection offered to tech companies under Section 230. He took this step after Twitter started labelling his tweets about voting by mail as misinformation. In response, the President alleged that the social media platforms were selectively censoring content as part of a wider conspiracy to “rig the election” against him. Trump’s order called for regulators to reassess the definition of Section 230 and directed agencies to collect complaints of political bias on social media platforms that could help revoke their legal immunity. After Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election, he went a step further and called for the regulation to be completely revoked. Last month, he threatened to veto the National Defense Authorisation Act (NDAA), an annual defence bill authorising billions in military spending, unless Congress agreed to repeal Section 23 completely. “Section 230, which is a liability shielding gift from the U.S. to “Big Tech” (the only companies in America that have it – corporate welfare!), is a serious threat to our National Security & Election Integrity. Our Country can never be safe & secure if we allow it to stand…,” Trump tweeted late last month. He added that if the “very dangerous & unfair Section 230 is not completely terminated as part of the \[NDAA\], I will be forced to unequivocally VETO the Bill when sent to the very beautiful Resolute desk.” Story continues below this ad Trump claimed Section 230 facilitated the spread of foreign disinformation online. However, members of Congress were quick to clap back at Trump, saying the NDAA had little to do with social media companies.
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