means A 1996 U.S. law provision protecting internet platforms from being sued for what their users post, while allowing them to moderate content as they see fit—the legal skeleton key that built the internet as we know it.

from Born in the Communications Decency Act of 1996, Section 230 was a compromise: Congress wanted to protect kids from smut online, but lawmakers also realized that holding platforms liable for every user post would either kill the internet or require invasive censorship. The provision was almost accidental brilliance—a footnote that became foundational.