At a glance.
- Section 230 remains intact.
- FTC warns of biometric misuse.
- Satellite cybersecurity bill advances in the US Senate.
Section 230 remains intact.
The Supreme Court made decisions on two cases concerning the liability of social media platforms that contain terroristic content. Both cases, Twitter v. Taamneh and Gonzalez v. Google, were initiated by the families of ISIS victims in Paris and Istanbul. The case against Twitter raised the question of whether the platform can be accused of aiding in terrorism for hosting tweets from ISIS, CNN writes.
The case against Google asks if the recommendation system of their subsidiary, YouTube, is protected under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which Article 19 explains “grants legal immunity to online platforms for content posted by third parties and allows platforms to remove objectionable content without exposing themselves to liability.” The family of Nohemi Gonzalez, a 2015 victim of an ISIS attack in Paris, saw YouTube as violating a US antiterrorism law, because the recommendation of ISIS videos promotes radicalization and their worldview. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of Twitter, and dismissed the case against Google.
FTC warns of biometric misuse.
The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a warning yesterday on increasing risk for potential misuse of the biometric information of consumers. Biometric information, defined as “data that depict, or describe physical, biological, or behavioral traits, characteristics, or measurements of or relating to an identified or identifiable person’s body,” has sprawled quickly in recent years, with facial, iris, and fingerprint recognition seen in everyday use. A policy statement from the FTC commits to fighting “unfair or deceptive acts and practices related to the collection and use of consumers’ biometric information.” The policy statement specifically warns against false claims about accuracy and efficacy of biometric technologies and their collection, as they may violate the FTC Act.
Satellite cybersecurity bill advances in the US Senate.
A Senate bill providing strengthened resources and information to commercial satellite owners and operators via the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has advanced through committee, Nextgov reports. The Satellite Cybersecurity Act, as it is named, is awaiting a floor vote. If passed, CISA would be required “to consolidate voluntary satellite cybersecurity recommendations—including guidance specifically for small businesses—to help companies understand how to best secure their systems.” John Cornyn, one of the senators behind the act, wrote that “Satellite networks play an important role in our national security, and it’s imperative they’re protected from cyber threats and bad actors. This bill would equip satellite owners and operators with the tools to secure their systems against disruption, and I urge the Senate to pass it soon.”