Could changes to section 230 affect social media platforms?

Yes, changes to section 230 of the Communications Decency Act could have a direct impact on the operations and offerings of some social media platforms. This particular policy, which was passed in 1996, provides protection for providers from liability for any third party content that is posted on their sites. If it were modified or revoked, it could open social media companies up to lawsuits from users over libel or intellectual property challenges. It would also increase their responsibility in terms of how they approach moderation and censorship policies with regard to published materials as well as posts that violate platform standards but don't necessarily rise to the level of actionable offenses. Additionally, it could undermine the ongoing presence of smaller providers who might not have sufficient resources to monitor legal challenges and pursue them in court if necessary.