Issue One welcomes bipartisan bill focused on Section 230 and calls for “targeted and surgical reform”

In response to the introduction of “The Sunset Section 230 Act,” a new bipartisan bill that would repeal Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1996 — which was submitted by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) on behalf of himself and Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IO), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Josh Hawley (R-MS), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ashley Moody (R-FL), and Peter Welch (D-VT) — members of Issue One’s Council for Responsible Social Media (CRSM) and Issue One Vice President of Advocacy Alix Fraser issued the following statements:

“Section 230 is the shield that online platforms have used to avoid accountability and deny families justice for too long, which is why I consider it to be one of the most regrettable votes from my time in Congress,” said former House Majority Leader and CRSM Co-chair Dick Gephardt. “I am glad that today’s lawmakers are finally grappling with how to enact commonsense safeguards appropriate for the 21st century internet. Section 230 requires targeted and surgical reform to be speech-protective and democracy-enhancing. We look forward to working with the bill’s sponsors to create a version of Section 230 that protects Americans.”

“Losing my 16-year-old son Carson to suicide because of dangerously designed anonymous apps was devastating,” said Executive Director of The Carson J. Bride Effect, founding member of Parents RISE!, and CRSM member Kristin Bride. “Learning I couldn’t sue the company due to Section 230 which gives Big Tech legal immunity, made it worse. I’m grateful for Senators Graham, Durbin, and the bipartisan cosponsors for championing a bill to hold social media and AI companies accountable for kids’ safety, just like every other industry in America.”

“Every industry — from tobacco to automobiles — is required to meet basic safety standards and answer to the law when it markets unsafe products, but Section 230 has robbed American families of justice by denying them their day in court, granting an extraordinarily broad immunity shield for the most powerful companies in history, and weakening our democracy,” said Issue One Vice President of Advocacy Alix Fraser. “We appreciate Sens. Graham and Durbin and the bipartisan group of senators for recognizing that Section 230 must be reformed. We look forward to working with lawmakers to advance a targeted, surgical solution that holds Big Tech accountable like every other industry, while protecting Americans’ ability to freely engage online.”