Statement from CEO, Imran Ahmed on the Sunset Section 230 Act

Imran Ahmed, Founder & CEO, Center for Countering Digital Hate: “All Americans should thank Senators Graham, Durbin, Grassley, Whitehouse, Hawley, Klobuchar, Blackburn, Blumenthal, Moody, and Welch for introducing The Sunset Section 230 Act. It is outrageous that social media companies have been given special protections from being held accountable under the law even when they hurt our kids, enable criminals and scammers, or profit from illegal activities.

Our polling and focus groups have repeatedly shown that the American public opposes special legal protections for social media companies by overwhelming margins but feel powerless to do anything about it. By ending blanket immunity for platforms, people would be able to take platforms to court and hold these companies accountable, just like in every other major industry when their products cause real-world harm to consumers.

Accountability and transparency are the best way to rebalance our relationship with these vital but often toxic platforms, give us the Internet that we need and deserve, and ensure justice for victims.”