Trump’s Escalating Attacks on Tech: The Information’s Tech Briefing

The Trump administration on Wednesday escalated its attacks on Section 230 liability protections for tech companies, with the Justice Department issuing a 25-page paper that suggested how lawmakers could overhaul the law. Democrats immediately denounced the proposal, which they see as an effort by President Trump and Attorney General Bill Barr to act as “speech police.” That effectively ends the chances of this particular proposal getting through Congress.

But it’s easy to forget that many Democrats want Section 230—which gives tech firms legal immunity for user posts—changed as much as Republicans. Joe Biden has said he wants to revoke the law. Democrats presumably don’t want to change the law ahead of the election. If they wait, they could have more control of the process, assuming they win the White House and/or control of the Senate in November.