H.R. 573: CASE–IT Act

This bill limits liability protection, sometimes referred to as Section 230 protection, for a user or provider of an interactive computer service (e.g., social media company) related to content that is published on or removed from its platform.

The bill removes for one year the protection from being treated as the publisher of information provided by another content provider if a user or provider facilitates (1) illegal online content; (2) certain exploitive contact between adults and minors; or (3) content that is indecent, obscene, or otherwise harmful to minors.

Further, to avoid being treated as the publisher of third-party content or subject to liability for screening and blocking content on its platform, an interactive computer service that is dominant in its market (i.e., has gained substantial, sustained market power over any competitors) must make content moderation decisions pursuant to policies or practices that are consistent with the First Amendment.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.