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First on Fox: A bipartisan group of senators is demanding that Republican and Democratic leadership in the Senate allow votes on legislation that would curb the ability of technology companies to launch with few legal consequences for serious online harm.
In a letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., led by Sen. Lindsey Graham, lawmakers called for major reforms to Section 230, a decades-old law that they say protects technology companies from liability for a litany of online crimes.
Graham said in a statement to Fox News Digital that his wish for the new year is “for Congress to subjugate social media companies.”
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Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., led a bipartisan letter calling on Senate Republican and Democratic leaders to hold a vote in February on legislation to reform laws they say protect technology companies from the consequences of online harms. (Andrew Harnick/Getty Images)
“These platforms are doing tremendous harm to our country, driving people to suicide and selling pills and pills that contain fentanyl,” Graham said. “It is long past time to open America’s courtroom to those harmed by this out-of-control system, and to finally have regulations and accountability for the largest corporations in the country’s history. The courthouse doors are closed and there is no meaningful regulation.”
Graham and his colleagues, including Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., Dick Durbin, D-Illinois, Sheldon Whitehouse, D-Colorado, Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, are looking forward to a vote in February.
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Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, signed the legislation. (Valerie Blish/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Lawmakers said the problem began nearly 30 years ago, when the Communications Act of 1996, including the Communications Decency Act and Section 230, was first passed. At the time, the law was intended to help the emerging Internet grow.
But since then, they say, it has greatly expanded the immunity of tech companies, shielding them from accountability for harmful behavior.
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Graham sent the letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. (Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg via Getty Images; Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc. via Getty Images)
They list several examples of online crimes that technology companies have been able to avoid, including online sexual exploitation and blackmail of children, the creation of fake pornography with AI technology, the sale of fentanyl-laced pills to teens, the exploitation of youth fears, stress and body image issues, and terrorist organizations and foreign governments targeting vulnerable individuals for recruitment and exploitation.
“To make matters worse, Article 230 prevents these victims and their families from having their day in court,” they said.
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Graham introduced legislation earlier this week to completely repeal Section 230, which would take effect two years after its passage if passed. His bill would effectively strip the federal immunity that technology companies have relied on.
“At age 30, Section 230 is violated, and the Internet becomes worse for him,” the lawmakers said. “It is time for this body to take a stand and advance the reforms needed to build a safer online environment for all Americans. Thank you for your attention to this issue.”