The Digital Pandemic

Averting Negative Externalities of Disinformation Through Platforms

Abstract

In response to viral spreads of disinformation in the 21st century, most notably in 2020, this paper analyzes Section 230 of the Communications Decency Cct as currently written. Presently, much ambiguity surrounds the actual purpose and implications Section 230 denotes for the United States, and the world. Heads of the largest technology companies frequently come under fire, called upon by both politicians and the public to combat the spread of disinformation on the internet. In this paper, I present an analysis of Section 230 from its inception to today, followed by an examination of platofmr-by-platform decisions on how to best comply with the statue. I argue revoking section 230 i snot a reasonable colution, rather a statutory modification coupled with heightened industry collaboratoion will serve to uphold the section's original objectives set forth in 1996.