I am writing to urge you to oppose any effort to repeal or significantly weaken Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
Section 230 is foundational to a free and open internet. It allows websites, platforms, and content creators to host user-generated content without being held legally responsible for every post, comment, or upload made by others. Just as importantly, it allows those same platforms to moderate content in good faith — removing harassment, abuse, and demonstrably harmful material — without becoming publishers in the eyes of the law.
I strongly believe that freedom of expression is best protected when the government does not decide what speech is acceptable. While online abuse and misinformation are real concerns, transferring that authority to the government would create far greater risks: political interference, viewpoint discrimination, and the chilling of lawful speech.
Repealing or undermining Section 230 would not “fix” the internet. Instead, it would:
Encourage widespread over-censorship by platforms seeking to avoid lawsuits
Harm small websites, nonprofits, and independent creators who lack large legal teams
Consolidate power further in the hands of the largest corporations
Reduce the diversity of voices and viewpoints online
Platforms and creators must retain the ability to set and enforce their own community standards. That flexibility — not government-mandated speech rules — is what allows abuse to be addressed while preserving open discourse.
I urge you to protect Section 230 and reject legislation that would weaken it, sunset it, or replace it with government-controlled speech standards. Any reforms should be narrow, evidence-based, and carefully crafted to preserve free expression and innovation.
Thank you for your time and for considering my views.