Gonzalez vs Google is a case that was successfully appealed to the supreme court. The case attempts to challenge section 230 again and set a precedent for all future moderation of internet content. The outcome of this case might change how major internet companies treat their content in the future.
Section 230, which was a part of the Communication Decency Act, protects websites from bearing legal responsibilities when individuals distribute content on websites that prompt legal actions. This law in the United States has given the green light to websites like Twitter, Youtube, and Reddit to exist and allow users all around the world to post mostly anything on the website. There are still moderation and filters on websites, but they are mostly there to keep them advertiser-friendly and abiding by some other laws in the US and other countries.
Gonzalez vs Google is based on a series of shootings that happened in Paris which got a Gonzalez family member killed. It was later discovered that one of the shooters was radicalized and recruited through the content ISIS posted on Youtube as the algorithm suggested the video to him based on his choices of content. The plaintiff suggests that recommending the content violates the anti-terrorism laws in the United States while Google claims they bare no responsibilities because of section 230.
The outcome of this case can directly affect how every internet company treats their content on the internet as nobody wants to bare the consequences of thousands of similar lawsuits. Most of the internet companies would rather cut out entire sections of their website that has anything remotely illegal than put on heavy moderation for their content, which is the more risky and costly way unless their entire existence is based on this specific content. Based on the specific ruling, the internet’s reaction can range from everything being normal to deleting all of the remotely offensive content on the internet.
The hearing will happen on February 21st of 2023.
source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzNo5lZCq5M