The following statement is attributed to Michael Petricone, Senior Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, regarding the United States Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Technology, Innovation and the Internet
hearing on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996.
“CTA applauds the Senate Commerce Committee for examining the importance of Section 230 to the basic functioning of the internet. For decades, American innovators and consumers have benefited from Section 230. Thanks to this law, American internet platforms and small businesses can innovate freely without worrying about being sued repeatedly because of third-party content.
“Section 230 allows U.S. companies and startups to thrive as global innovation leaders. It is the key reason why the U.S. is the global leader in online entertainment, communications and commerce, and it underpins our $172B trade surplus in digital services. More, America’s support of free expression embodied by Section 230 sends a clear and positive signal to the world, especially as compared to countries where online speech is subject to government approval.
“We encourage the Committee to protect Section 230 as an essential component of free expression and American innovation.”
