Daily Skimm: Section 230, President Biden, and Bad Bunny

Section 230

The Story

The Supreme Court is taking on Big Tech.

How?

Today, SCOTUS will be hearing oral arguments in a case that’s centered on Section 230. The rule is part of the 1996 Communications Decency Act and protects online platforms from lawsuits over the content users post. Now, that could change. In 2016, the family of a 23-year-old American college student who was killed during the 2015 Paris terror attacks sued Google. They claim the algorithm on YouTube — owned by Google — promoted extremist content that ultimately led to their daughter’s death. For years, lower courts have argued Section 230 protects Google from the suit. Now, the legal battle's reached the Supremes.

What can we expect?

Justice Clarence Thomas has previously said the Supreme Court should scale back Section 230. Depending on how the conservative-leaning bench goes, the case could help decide if tech companies from Reddit to Tinder are liable for targeted ads or how their algorithms spread content. In the meantime, Google and its supporters worry changes to the law may cause platforms to remove content out of fear of being sued — stifling free speech in the process. Critics of the law say algorithms need to be kept in check and aren’t covered by Section 230 because they can promote misinformation and spread hateful content. A final decision in this case isn’t expected until June.

theSkimm

Today’s oral arguments is one of two cases involving online platforms that were founded years after Section 230 was created. Depending on how the high court rules, there could be long-lasting changes to how people communicate and interact on the internet.

And Also...This

Where the eagle has landed…

Kyiv. Yesterday, President Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine — days before the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion. During the visit, Biden promised to stand by Ukraine and announced another $500 million in military aid. It adds to the more than $27 billion in aid the US has signed off on — including high-tech tanks. However, Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, say their military needs access to more advanced weapons if the war is going to end. Both Zelenskyy and Biden called the trip “historic.” Russia was notified beforehand that Biden would be in Kyiv. Meanwhile, today, Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed the West for the war in Ukraine.

What people are watching…

Turkey and Syria. Yesterday, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and northwestern Syria, killing at least six people and injuring hundreds of others. It comes two weeks after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed more than 46,000 people and rocked the two countries’ infrastructure. Now, there are reports that people tried to rush to safety — running into the streets from fear that buildings could collapse again. Many residents are living in temporary shelters after their homes were destroyed. Over the weekend, Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Turkey and said the US is committed to helping the country rebuild.

Whose case has updates…

Alec Baldwin's. The Santa Fe District Attorney's Office has downgraded one of the charges against the actor. Last month, prosecutors charged Baldwin with two counts of involuntary manslaughter in the death of 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins. One of the charges included a firearm enhancement penalty, which carried a mandatory five-year prison sentence if convicted. Now, the DA's office has dropped the penalty in an effort to “avoid further litigious distractions” by Baldwin and his attorneys. It comes as Baldwin is expected to make his first court appearance on Friday. He still faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

What you might see trending…

#BAFTAsSoWhite. Over the weekend, the British Academy Film Awards got flack after all of the 49 winners at the film ceremony were white. This year, nearly 40% of acting nominees were people of color. The awards program went through an overhaul, leading to a more diverse set of nominees and winners…at least for a little bit. Now, it seems not much has changed since the awards show was called out for its all-white winners in 2020. It has critics asking if the changes actually worked or were more of a temporary fix.

What’ll wake you up…

A Starbucks Frappuccino recall.

Who’s got a status update…

Meta.

Whose tití probably has questions...

Bad Bunny's.