Section 230, a usually obscure clause of an internet law written in 1996, might just turn out to be one of the biggest flash-points of the 2020 election. In recent days, the long-running tension between the President, his allies, and social media platforms has erupted into an unprecedented showdown—and raised complex questions about censorship, the First Amendment, and the true intent of this section of the Communications Decency Act. As private platforms become critical public megaphones, what are the their rights—and obligations—when it comes to policing speech on topics from public health to politics?
