Digital Platforms in the Age of Content Moderation

William Marks (Harvard Law School)

The conventional wisdom around the responsibilities of platforms like Facebook, Google, and Amazon has evolved greatly. 1995-2010 saw the era of “rights,” in which the prevailing view was one of intermediaries’ abstention from shaping the flow of users’ contributions.

From then until now there’s been a new framework, “public health,” emphasizing the harms that can result from unchecked online activity, just as AI techniques promise new ways to scale platforms’ monitoring and intervention in the activities they facilitate.

What’s next? We'll explore.

4 Day Four: Global Platforms, Local Law 4 Day Four: Global Platforms, Local Law

4.1 “Who Controls the Internet: Illusions of a Borderless World” by Jack Goldsmith and Tim Wu (2006). [Read Pages 1-22]. 4.1 “Who Controls the Internet: Illusions of a Borderless World” by Jack Goldsmith and Tim Wu (2006). [Read Pages 1-22].

Readings to be Posted to Canvas.

4.2. “There May Soon Be Three Internets. America’s Won’t Necessarily Be the Best.” by the Editorial Board, The New York Times (2018).

“There May Soon Be Three Internets. America’s Won’t Necessarily Be the Best.” by the Editorial Board, The New York Times (2018).

4.3. “Google's Gatekeepers” Jeffrey Rosen, The New York Times Magazine (2008).

“Google's Gatekeepers” Jeffrey Rosen, The New York Times Magazine (2008).

4.4. “Facebook Can Be Forced to Delete Content Worldwide, E.U.’s Top Court Rules” by Adam Satariano, The New York Times (2019).

“Facebook Can Be Forced to Delete Content Worldwide, E.U.’s Top Court Rules” by Adam Satariano, The New York Times (2019).

4.5. “Glawischnig-Piesczek vs. Facebook Ireland Limited” (2019) [Read Paragraphs 76-103; 109].

“Glawischnig-Piesczek vs. Facebook Ireland Limited” (2019) [Read Paragraphs 76-103; 109].

4.6. “Canada’s Supreme Court Rules Google Must Block Certain Search Results Worldwide” Dani Deahl, The Verge (2017).

“Canada’s Supreme Court Rules Google Must Block Certain Search Results Worldwide” Dani Deahl, The Verge (2017).

4.7. “US v Equustek” (2017).

“US v Equustek” (2017).

4.8. “Trump Targets WeChat and TikTok, in Sharp Escalation with China” by Ana Swanson, Mike Isaac and Paul Mozur, The New York Times (2020).

“Trump Targets WeChat and TikTok, in Sharp Escalation with China” by Ana Swanson, Mike Isaac and Paul Mozur, The New York Times (2020).