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Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
National
Barbara Ortutay | AP

Section 230: the rule before the Supreme Court that made the modern internet, explained

Internet Google Facebook Twitter Inc. Jeff Kosseff CompuServe Eric Goldman Prodigy Craigslist United States
The Supreme Court is taking up its first case regarding Section 230, a federal law credited with helping create the modern internet by shielding companies such as Google, Twitter, Facebook and others from lawsuits over content posted on their sites by others. (Patrick Semansky / AP)

Twenty-six words tucked into a 1996 law overhauling telecommunications have allowed companies like Facebook, Twitter and Google to grow into the giants they are today.

A case coming for which the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments Tuesday — titled Gonzalez v. Google — challenges whether, under this law, tech companies can be held liable for material posted on their platforms.

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