Today, NetChoice opposed the introduction of the Online Consumer Protection Act by Representative Schakowsky (D-IL) and Castor (D-FL) — a bill that would gut Section 230, create a consumer protection compliance program, and create a private right of action.
“This bill would gut Section 230 and take small businesses and online forums down with it by making it harder for third-party marketplaces to survive and compete,” said Carl Szabo, Vice President and General Counsel for NetChoice. “Worse, this proposal would sink startups through nearly limitless litigation over their terms of service.”
“By creating new barriers to entry, this bill would discourage entrepreneurs from entering the market and deprives Americans of new, innovative products. The broad brushstrokes of this proposal would hurt babysitters, repair people, and dog walkers trying to survive on our online ecosystem at a time when Americans need these opportunities more than ever,” continued Szabo.