Rep. Wagner Calls CDA Update 'Narrow;' NetChoice Concerned Over 'Unintended Consequences'
Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., HR-1865’s sponsor, said her Communications Decency Act update makes narrow amendments “to make sure the congressional intent is clear” and “that bad actors can’t hide behind Section 230.” The House bill’s approach is slightly different from…
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the 2017 Stop Enabling Sex Trafficking Act (S-1693), but goals are the same and lawmakers “are working out the differences,” she said Saturday on C-SPAN's Communicators. SESTA, with 46 co-sponsors, cleared the Senate Commerce Committee Thursday (see 1711080042), but floor action isn't likely until closer to the end of the year or early next year, a Senate aide said. Internet companies support principles behind bills to curb online sex-trafficking but fear the wrong approach could worsen the problem, NetChoice General Counsel Carl Szabo said. He said the two bills gaining political momentum are worthy efforts but could have “unintended consequences.” Rather than altering 230, which gives website providers immunity from prosecution over content on their sites, Szabo said, legislation should amend the criminal code to give law enforcement tools they need. “Our member companies are working tirelessly -- they have armies of people looking at and identifying” offensive content, which they refer to law enforcement, he said. Smaller internet companies might not have the resources to do such monitoring, he said.