Communications Decency Act
The Communications Decency Act (CDA) was actually Title V of the United States' Telecommunications Act of 1996. It was passed by the United States Congress by February 1, 1996.
While the child-related Internet portions are no longer effective, Section 230OCILLADMCAJuly 291996June 261997Supreme CourtReno v. American Civil Liberties UnionFirst AmendmentInternetcable television" or "patently offensive" in public forums on the Internet, which many felt was too ambiguous and could easily be construed. Opponents argued that otherwise protected free speech under the First Amendment would suddenly be unlawful when posted to the Internet, such as printed novels or the use of the seven dirty words. Critics also claimed there would be a chilling effect on access to medical information.
Indecency in (ground wave) TV and radio broadcasting had already been regulated by the Federal Communications Commission - broadcasting of offensive speech was restricted to certain hours of the day, when minors were supposedly be not likely to be exposed to the broadcasting. The violators (broadcasters) would be fined, and potentially face revocation of their license.
A narrower version of this act relating to the internet was later restated in the Child Online Protection Act (COPA).
Cases relying on the CDA include:
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