Wiley Files Comments on Behalf of CTA Responding to NTIA’s Petition for Rulemaking Involving Section 230

September 2, 2020

Washington, DC – On behalf of the Consumer Technology Association® (CTA), Wiley submitted comments, responding to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Public Notice on the Petition for Rulemaking (Petition) filed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The petition seeks regulation of providers of online products and services that host third-party content.

Specifically, NTIA asks the FCC to “interpret” Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 – a statute that protects such providers from liability for content created by third parties and the moderation thereof – to drastically limit its applicability.

NTIA separately asks the FCC to create “transparency” requirements that would mandate expansive disclosures about how internet companies curate content for users.

“NTIA’s petition is as dangerous as it is legally flawed,” the comments said. “Section 230 has made the internet a platform for connectivity that enables communication, expression, and economic transactions, and plays a vital and beneficial role in the lives of hundreds of millions of Americans. The unique balance of protections afforded by Section 230 has enabled the United States to be the global leader in internet innovation.”

To read the full comments, please click here.