The provision in U.S. law that protects social media sites and other websites from lawsuits over user-generated content is under fire, with some lawmakers suggesting it is time to hold sites more responsible for their users’ posts.

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 holds that websites generally are not legally responsible for content posted by their users, including for defamation, breach of contract, and emotional distress. The provision protects video-hosting sites such as YouTube and social media providers such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as any website that allows users to post comments.