Find out what's in store for free speech online with a candid live discussion between Electronic Frontier Foundation Legal Director Dr. Corynne McSherry and Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, an original framer of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
EFF30 Fireside Chat:
Section 230 & Free Speech Online
Thursday, December 10, 2020
Click the button below to watch live at 4:00 pm PT:
Watch Livestream
Simulcasts: Facebook Live, Twitter, and YouTube Live
In October, President Trump issued the three-word tweet, “REPEAL SECTION 230!!!” in response to a previous message being flagged as misleading and potentially harmful. With that tweet, he added to a growing chorus of critics pointing the finger at this legal provision for all it allowed Internet platforms to do—or perhaps not do?— in service of free speech. From the EARN IT Act threatening the use of encryption to the parade of tech company CEOs before U.S. Congress, Section 230 is under fire.
But where did we get Section 230 and what made it the most important law protecting freedom of expression and innovation on the Internet?
In this livestreamed conversation, Senator Wyden and Dr. McSherry will explore Section 230 and the future of free speech.
This event is live and free!
$10 donation Suggested
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ABOUT EFF30 FIRESIDE CHATS: To commemorate the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s 30th anniversary, we present EFF30 Fireside Chats. This limited series of livestreamed conversations looks back at some of the biggest issues in Internet history and their effects on the modern web.
The first EFF30 Fireside Chat entitled “Beyond the Crypto Wars” featured author and renowned security technologist Bruce Schneier.
WATCH:
EFF Livestream on Twitch (Twitch Privacy Policy)
Simulcasts: Facebook Live, Twitter, and YouTube Live.
A recording will be available after the program on YouTube.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS:
EFF Legal Director Corynne McSherry is a fearless defender of online fair use, free expression, and the public domain. As a litigator, she has represented the Internet Archive, Public.Resource.Org, some Yes Men, and a dancing baby. Her policy work includes leading EFF’s efforts to defend intermediary liability protections, fix copyright, promote net neutrality, and promote best practices for online expression.
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996. Wyden has consistently pushed for smart tech policies that put users – not powerful corporations – first. Wyden coauthored the bipartisan Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, wrote the first net neutrality bill and has defended strong encryption against threats from short-sighted government officials. Wyden, a fierce advocate for strong data privacy protections, last fall introduced the most comprehensive bill to protect Americans’ personal details online, the Mind Your Own Business Act. This sweeping piece of legislation would also hold corporate executives accountable for abusing personal information.
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Questions? Email us at events@eff.org.
