Washington, D.C. – March 17, 2026 – Ahead of tomorrow’s Senate Commerce Committee hearing on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, Internet Works Executive Director Peter Chandler released the following statement:
“Section 230 is the foundational law that created an Internet full of limitless possibilities. It is the reason Internet Works members are able to connect millions of Americans and small businesses each and every day, whether it’s finding jobs, making travel plans, purchasing goods online, building communities of interest, playing games with friends, collaborating on projects, or so much more. Section 230 also protects users sharing ideas online while giving platforms the legal certainty they need to enforce their terms of service and keep their communities safe. Everyone in the tech industry will tell you that this debate matters, but for the Middle Tech companies like the ones Internet Works represents, it is existential.”
“The law supports a competitive and innovative online environment while allowing companies to protect users and enforce rules on their platforms. Without Section 230, only the largest companies would have the resources to absorb the legal risk carried by the erosion of intermediary liability. The result would be fewer opportunities for middle-tier and emerging platforms to compete and fewer tools for the millions of small businesses that rely on online services to reach customers and grow.”
“As the Senate Commerce Committee examines the future of Section 230, policymakers should consider the important value it brings to the full Internet ecosystem, not just the most dominant U.S. tech companies. Internet Works will continue working with lawmakers to preserve the essential elements of Section 230 and ensure the Internet continues to support users, entrepreneurs, and small businesses across the country.”
About Internet Works:
Internet Works is a coalition of 29 diverse technology platforms working together to right-size regulatory technology policy to foster trust and promote safety online so that the Internet remains a place of limitless possibility and innovation. For more information, please visit www.TheInternet.Works.