Mark Zuckerberg calls for Department 230 reforms as lawmakers vow crackdown

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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg called for reforms to among their US’ most significant internet laws Thursday because lawmakers pledged to kickstart their regulatory grasp on social networking companies.

Throughout his third congressional hearing in six months, Zuckerberg made the situation for updating Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act while protecting his company against criticism that it has failed to snuff out misinformation.

“We believe connectivity and togetherness are more powerful ideals than division and discord and this technology can be part of the solution to the challenges our society is facing,” he informed the House Energy and Commerce Committee. “And we are all set to use you to move beyond hearings and get started on real reform.”

Either side of the aisle have called for modifications to Section 230, a 1996 law that shields online programs from legal liability for content their users post.

Zuckerberg said big platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube should just get that protection if they have systems in place to eliminate”clearly illegal” articles, like posts including sex trafficking or terrorism though he argued they should not be held responsible in case a piece of such content slides through the cracks.

In addition, he said large players should have to put out reports about the prevalence of harmful content on their own platforms, a tool Facebook does every quarter. Dorsey and Pichai said they were open to a number of Zuckerberg’s proposed changes.

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“For smaller programs, I think we need to be careful about any modifications we make that eliminate their immunity as that may hurt competitors,” explained Zuckerberg, whose company is facing double antitrust lawsuits against the Federal Trade Commission and 46 states.

Regardless of Zuckerberg’s openness to change, lawmakers needled the tech executives above their struggles to tackle misinformation when vowing to impose tougher laws.

When Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pennsylvania) asked the three CEOs if their platforms bore responsibility for its mortal Capitol insurrection, just Dorsey said , though he added the”broader ecosystem” needed to be thought about.

Republicans, meanwhile, raised concerns about Enormous Tech being biased against conservatives and social media fueling youth suicides.

“Self-regulation has arrived at the conclusion of its street,” explained Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-Illinois). “The regulation we seek should not make an effort to limit constitutionally protected freedom of speech, but it needs to hold platforms liable when they’re utilized to incite hatred and violence.”

With Post wires

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