The NTIA filed that petition last week, asking the FCC to define “information content provider” more broadly to include entities that make “editorial decisions that modify or alter content.” Under that interpretation, websites like Facebook and Twitter would be treated as the publisher or speaker of information posted by their users, and they would lose the legal protections Section 230 provides when websites block and screen offensive material. Lawyers who work at several advocacy groups say that the FCC doesn’t have this authority, that the Trump petition “is utterly incompatible with the plain language” of Section 230, and that the petition’s proposal would violate the First Amendment.
The FCC’s public notice asking for comments says that “Interested persons may file statements opposing or supporting the Petition for Rulemaking.” The deadline for initial statements is 30 days from today, and another 15 days will be provided for replies. The docket is available here (click “New Filing” or “Express” to file a comment).
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Source: Ajit Pai calls for “vigorous debate” on Trump’s social media crackdown | Ars Technica