Section 230 at 30: The Past, Present, and Future of Online Speech and the 26 Words That Created the Internet
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Featuring
Associate Dean of Research, Professor of Law, and Co-Director, High Tech Law Institute, Santa Clara University School of Law
Vice President of Policy, Center for Democracy & Technology
CEO and Founder, Techdirt
Assistant Professor of Law, University of Akron School of Law
Head of Legal, BlueSky
Thirty years ago, as part of the 1996 Telecommunications Act, Section 230 became law. The law was the result of a bipartisan effort that saw the potential of the internet and sought to encourage innovation and opportunities for online speech. Thirty years later, the law remains crucial to users and innovators of all sizes; however, it has been criticized by both the left and the right.
Join us for a day featuring panels on the history of Section 230, the current impact, debates, and legal challenges around the law, and how it might interact with future content moderation strategies including decentralization and technologies such as artificial intelligence. The event will also feature a live virtual conversation with one of Section 230’s co-authors, Senator Ron Wyden (D‑OR).
A reception will follow.
Schedule
Opening
Panel 1: Past: Section 230’s origins and early interpretations
Virtual Fireside Chat with Senator Ron Wyden (D‑OR)
Lunch
Panel 2: Present: Current Debates and Challenges Regarding Section 230
Break
Panel 3: Future: Section 230 and emerging content moderation strategies and AI
Closing and dismissal to reception
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