Fields v. Twitter
Case Law- Country
- Country Location
Latitude: 39.778231903243785
Longitude: -100.8801256788983
- Country Location (Lié Case Law)
- United States
- Decision Date
- 18 nov. 2016
- Case Status
- Affaire Résolue
- Case Outcome (Procedural)
- Dismissed
- Case Outcome (Disposition)
- Law or Action Upheld
- Keywords
- Freedom of Expression
- Social Media
- Judicial Body
- First Instance Court
- Case Number
- 16-cv-00213-WHO
- Case Summary
The U.S. District Court of Northern California held that an amended complaint to hold Twitter, Inc. liable for providing material support to the Islamic State group (IS) by allowing its members to have accounts was barred by the Communications Decency Act. The Plaintiffs argued that Twitter was liable under the Anti-Terrorism Act for providing material support to IS by allowing IS members to sign up for Twitter accounts and that this support resulted in the killing of their family members. The Court reasoned that the provision of accounts by Twitter to IS members is publishing activity, just like monitoring, reviewing, and editing content. Therefore even though the plaintiffs' claims remained inherently tied up with IS’ use of Twitter to spread propaganda, the platform was protected from liability for third-party speech under section 230(c) (1) of the CDA.
- Case Significance
The decision establishes a binding or persuasive precedent within its jurisdiction.
- Related Caselaw (self)
- Source Name and URL
- Columbia Global Freedom of Expression