The Communications Decency Act

The Communications Decency Act (CDA), enacted in 1996, aimed to regulate online content and protect minors from harmful material. Its key provision, Section 230, provides internet platforms with immunity from liability for user-generated content, meaning they aren't legally responsible for what users post. This encourages platforms to host diverse content without fear of constantly being sued. The CDA also sought to restrict certain types of online content, but many of these provisions were later challenged and mostly struck down. Overall, the CDA plays a crucial role in shaping how online speech and platform responsibility are managed today.