US senators propose bill to eliminate Section 230 protection for AI companies

“U.S. Senators Josh Hawley R-Mo. and Richard Blumenthal D-Conn, the Ranking Member and the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, respectively – introduced the No Section 230 Immunity for AI Act. This new bipartisan legislation would clarify that Section 230 immunity will not apply to claims based on generative AI, ensuring consumers have the tools they need to protect themselves from harmful content produced by the latest advancements in AI technology.For example, AI-generated “deepfakes” – lifelike false images of real individuals – are exploding in popularity. Ordinary people can now suffer life-destroying consequences for saying things they never said, or doing things they never would. Companies complicit in this process should be held accountable in court.”We can’t make the same mistakes with generative AI as we did with Big Tech on Section 230,” said Senator Hawley. “When these new technologies harm innocent people, the companies must be held accountable. Victims deserve their day in court and this bipartisan proposal will make that a reality.” “AI companies should be forced to take responsibility for business decisions as they’re developing products-without any Section 230 legal shield,” said Senator Blumenthal. “This legislation is the first step in our effort to write the rules of AI and establish safeguards as we enter this new era. AI platform accountability is a key principle of a framework for regulation that targets risk and protects the public.” The Fly notes that companies like Alphabet (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Nvidia (NVDA), IBM (IBM), Meta Platforms (META) and Intel (INTC).