[VIDEO 7feab951-386c-40ff-9ced-d6b53151d216]

It’s a subset of a federal law that’s been referred to as “the 26 words that created the internet.” It’s been <a href="https://www.grid.news/story/technology/2023/02/20/the-supreme-court-prepares-to-decide-the-fate-of-section-230-the-internets-magna-carta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the subject of a Supreme Court case</a>. But you will be forgiven if you don’t know exactly what Section 230 is — and so it seemed worth an episode of our regular video “No Dumb Questions” series.

For answers, as with any and all technology-related issues, we turn to Grid technology reporter Benjamin Powers for answers. As Powers says, Section 230 is part of the 1996 Communications and Decency Act, a two-sentence passage within that law that “provides liability protections to online platforms from third-party content.” To take an easy-to-grasp example from our current culture, Section 230 means that you cannot sue Twitter for something someone says on Twitter. Recently, Section 230 has become something of a political lightning rod as well, for left and right — and for different reasons.

In short, those 26 words are really important. And their implications are complicated. Good fodder, then, for “No Dumb Questions.”

<ul><li><a href="https://www.grid.news/story/global/2023/03/15/no-dumb-questions-what-is-opec/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What is OPEC?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.grid.news/story/global/2023/03/08/no-dumb-questions-who-are-the-taliban/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Who are the Taliban?</a></li><li><a href="https://www.grid.news/story/technology/2023/03/01/no-dumb-questions-what-is-ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What is AI?</a></li></ul>

We’d love to hear from you with other ideas for the series. We like to think that there’s almost nothing in the world of news and information that couldn’t use a little more clarity and context in terms of the answers. Send your ideas and questions to <a href="mailto:tips@grid.news">tips@grid.news</a>.

Footer

Musician Taylor Swift and actress Drew Barrymore arrive at COVERGIRL 50th Anniversary Celebration at BOA Steakhouse on January 5, 2011 in West Hollywood, California.

Drew Barrymore Penned a Loving Note to Taylor Swift After Her Concert

Only a Few UFO Reports Can be Called ‘Anomalous’, NASA Says

McCarthy Dismisses GOP Critics of Debt Deal: ‘We’ll Get It Done Without Them’

Ryan Gosling Explains Why Ken’s Story ‘Must Be Told’ amid Criticism for His ‘Barbie’ Role

(l-r) Steven Weber as Dean Archer, Epatha Merkerson as Sharon Goodwin in Chicago Med

‘Chicago Med’ Season 9: Cast, Release Date and Everything to Know 

A British Royal Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft flies at RAF Coningsby on May 16, 2023 in Coningsby, England.

Leaked Emails Reveal Royal Air Force Recruiters Were Told to Reject ‘Useless White Male Pilots’

Jax Taylor attends Los Angeles Confidential x Hornitos x GLAAD People's Choice Celebration at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills on December 06, 2022 in Beverly Hills, California.; Channing Tatum attends the "Magic Mike's Last Dance" World Premiere on January 25, 2023 in Miami Beach, Florida.

Jax Taylor Reflects on Being Roommates with Channing Tatum During Modeling Days

People ride the Splash Mountain attraction at Disneyland

Disneyland Visitor Jumps Out of Splash Mountain Mid-Ride Due to Panic Attack

Hundreds of Chicagoans and visitors gather around Sir Anish Kapoor's 'Cloud Gate' sculpture in Millennium Park in Chicago, Illinois on June 23, 2018.

53 People Shot, 11 Killed in Chicago’s Violent Memorial Day Weekend

New York Limo Service Operator Sentenced to Minimum of 5 Years for Deaths of 20

What Ramadan really means to me — and nearly 2 billion Muslims

France protests, explained in five words: ‘Life begins when work ends’

Medical residents nationwide are unionizing. What does that mean for the future of healthcare?

Ramadan fashion hits the runways. Muslim women say it’s been a long time coming.

Who is Shou Zi Chew – the TikTok CEO doing all he can to keep his app going in the U.S.?

The SVB collapse has made deposits more valuable than ever — and banks will have to compete for them

Ukraine War in Data: 74,500 war crimes cases — and counting

Can China really play a role in ending the war in Ukraine?

Trump steers allies and opponents on the right to a new enemy: Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg

World in Photos: In France, no-confidence vote and fresh protests

Bad Takes, Episode 32: The lesson elites should have learned from Iraq

Five ways Iraq has changed since the US invasion

Former Vice President Mike Pence to Launch Campaign for White House Within 2 Weeks  (Exclusive)

former Parkland, Florida, school safety officer Scot Peterson

The Case of Scot Peterson, Who Failed to Confront Parkland Gunman, Could Set New Standard for School Resource Officers

General view of Arby's Restaurant on January 25, 2018 in Dawsonville, Georgia.

Woman Who Died in Arby’s Freezer ‘Beat Her Hands Bloody Trying to Escape’

The Curious Case of Yevgeny Prigozhin

North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un before a meeting with US President Donald Trump on the south side of the Military Demarcation Line that divides North and South Korea, in the Joint Security Area (JSA) of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized zone (DMZ) on June 30, 2019.

North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un is Suffering From Insomnia, and Drinking and Smoking Heavily, South Korea Claims

Boy Who Walked Six Miles to Attend his Own Graduation Offered Full Ride to College

Couple playing slot machine in casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

‘No Dumb Questions’: What is Section 230?

Section 230 is all of 26 words long; those words have caused a lot of controversy.