Haba Law and NCOSE filed Amicus Brief in U.S. Supreme Court Case of Gonzalez v. Google
LAWSUIT challenges CDA 230 AND SEEKS LIABILITY FOR TECH COMPANIES
ORLANDO, FL [Press Release] - December 7, 2022 – The Haba Law Firm and The National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) filed an Amicus Brief with the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of NCOSE, The National Trafficking Sheltered Alliance, and RAINN. The brief was filed on behalf of Plaintiff Reynaldo Gonzalez and his family members for the death of their loved ones due to ISIS propaganda, which was knowingly uploaded and disseminated on Google’s YouTube platform. This case marks the first time that the U.S. Supreme Court has analyzed Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
Haba Law and NCOSE argued that the modern interpretation of Sec. 230 is flawed. When Sec. 230 was created, the internet was at its infancy. Today, the internet is the largest industry in the world and is the primary location for sexual exploitation of children. The internet is the base of operations for criminals and criminal organizations because the technology platforms they use protect these predators and profit off them brazenly as they enjoy near total immunity for anything that happens on their platforms.
This is the result of an interpretation many courts have given Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act—a law passed to incentivize websites to take proactive action to prevent exactly this type of activity. Instead, large sections of the technology industry enjoy unprecedented immunity, even against allegations of criminal activity, such as the distribution of child pornography, or terrorism propaganda videos.
The Haba Law Firm and NCOSE argued that the plain language reading of Sec. 230 requires the Court to arrive at a different result and that internet companies do not have carte blanche immunity. Rather, like all other companies, they must adhere to and abide by the rules and laws of society, to include the protection of our children and the most vulnerable members of society.
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About The Haba Law Firm, P.A.
The Haba Law Firm, located in the Greater Orlando area of Florida, provides excellence in civil litigation on behalf of human trafficking and sexual abuse survivors. Haba Law prides itself on its aggressive and effective representation, honesty, and trauma-informed, victim centered advocacy. The unparalleled knowledge and experience with human trafficking and sexual abuse has resulted in partner Lisa Haba receiving numerous awards and recognitions for her legal work with survivors of human trafficking and sexual abuse.