- This event has passed.
The Shield and Sword of Online Speech
Debating the future of Section 230.
March 23, 2023 @ 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is a law that allows websites to moderate content without facing legal consequences for their decisions. However, it has become a topic of controversy in recent years.
Conservatives claim this law enables censorship of their voices by big tech companies that control the internet. They argue that platforms unfairly target them by removing their content from online platforms. Liberals, conversely, argue that Section 230 is not doing enough to combat harmful content such as misinformation, disinformation, violence, mistreatment of children, and other dangerous content. They believe that platforms should be held more accountable for the content that they allow on their sites.
The challenge in reforming Section 230 is to find a balance between protecting free speech and regulating dangerous content. It is an ongoing and essential issue that will shape the future of the internet and the freedoms that come with it. Join us on Thursday, March 23rd from 3:00 – 4:00 PM EST / 12:00 – 1:00 PM PST to learn more about Section 230. Click this Zoom link to join the Webinar live.
Speakers:
Bruce Gustafson – CEO, Developers Alliance
Bruce is the President and CEO of the Developers Alliance, the leading advocate for the global developer workforce and the companies that depend on them. Bruce is also the founder of the Loquitur Group, a DC consulting firm, and the former VP and head of the DC Policy office of Ericsson, a global information and communications technology company, focusing on IPR, privacy, IoT, spectrum, cybersecurity and the impact of technology and the digital economy.
Bruce has previously held senior leadership positions in marketing and communications at both Ericsson and Nortel, as well as senior roles in strategy and product management across wireless, optical and enterprise communication product portfolios.
Bruce holds a JD from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, an MBA from the University of Calgary in Canada, and a BS in Engineering from the University of Manitoba, also in Canada. He is a certified privacy professional CIPP/US
He is based in the Alliance’s Washington DC headquarters.
Caitlin Brosseau – Global Government Affairs/Public Policy, TripAdvisor
Caitlin Brosseau is a Senior Director for global government affairs and public policy at Tripadvisor, a global travel guidance company. In that capacity, she oversees Tripadvisor’s global government relations and public policy engagement, including the company’s public affairs work and political strategy. Caitlin has over a decade of experience in tech policy, having held roles at eBay and Pandora Media, prior to joining Tripadvisor. Before working in the tech industry, Caitlin worked in the US Senate where she served as an advisor on financial services and education public policy, among other areas. Caitlin received her undergraduate degree from the University of Mary (Bismarck, ND) and her Master’s in Public Policy from George Mason University (Arlington, VA). She currently resides outside of Washington DC with her family.
Joshua Ackil – Co-Founder Franklin Square Group/ The. Internetworks
Josh Ackil has the unique experience of working in the White House and for the Leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. This extensive government experience combined with over a decade of representing innovative and disruptive companies distinguish Josh as one of the leading advocates of technology and innovation in Washington. Josh has continually been recognized by The Hill as one of the top lobbyists for the high-tech industry. Josh co-founded Franklin Square Group after seeing the need for innovators to have a stronger voice in Washington. He helped build a firm that incorporates a startup culture and mentality, looking forward while addressing policy issues and managing the disruption often caused by innovative startups and multinational technology companies. Josh began his advocacy work as Vice President of Government Relations for the Information Technology Industry Council, a group that represents 40 of the biggest tech companies in the world. As ITI’s lead Democratic lobbyist, he developed and directed strategic initiatives that delivered results on taxes, intellectual property, high-skilled immigration, global competitiveness and more.
Moderated by Geoff Lane, US Policy Head, Developers Alliance
Geoff Lane serves as the Developer Alliance’s head of U.S. policy. In this role he oversees the organization’s federal legislative and regulatory agenda as well as state-level efforts.
Prior to joining the Developers Alliance in 2022, Geoff worked with senior Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives. Since his time on Capitol Hill, he has held senior roles at various technology trade associations (including a previous stint at the Developers Alliance). At each stop he led efforts at the intersection of innovation and policy. He has worked on critical policy issues including privacy, encryption, patent reform, workforce development, corporate tax, tax nexus, and research and development.
Geoff holds a B.A. from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. When he is not working, you can find him booing all of his favorite Philadelphia sports teams.
Geoff is based in Washington, D.C.
Topics to Discuss
In this upcoming webinar, we will delve into Section 230 and its impact on the internet. Section 230 is a law that shields online platforms from legal liability for user-generated content. It has been called the “26 words that created the internet” because it enabled the growth of social media and other online platforms by providing legal protection to them. We will discuss a world without content moderation under Section 230 and the potential consequences. Additionally, we will examine the fault lines on reforms and where the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) might stand on the issue. We will explore whether Congress will act and what Section 230 might look like a year or even five years from now. Join us for this insightful discussion on Section 230 and its implications for the future of the internet.
