Tech Industry Groups Show How Much Stake is in Section 230
Industry-supporting groups including NetChoice and TechFreedom all put their names to briefs in support of 230. TechFreedom argued that the internet has “flourished” under 230 since it fills the internet with “different speech environments” where people online can “feel comfortable speaking.” Of course, that has a dark side to it too, and there’s been multiple such “communities” like the online harassment cesspool known as Kiwi Farms whose members have attacked people online for years, safe in their own home forums until last year.
Still, the trade groups praised the safety net that allowed platforms to no longer fear censorship. TechFreedom specifically cited Cruz’ brief and said if the anti-big tech politicians’ got what they want they would limit free speech for everyone, including conservatives.
The Chamber of Progress, a tech trade group, said that without 230, platforms would be “discouraged” from moderating content such as hate speech against LGBTQ+ people. The Chamber argued YouTube uses algorithmic ranking to deprioritize videos by groups sharing misinformation, such as the PragerU channel. Nevermind the fact that both LGBTQ+ and far right YouTubers have both complained YouTube has discriminated against their videos in the past.
