**DATELINE: WASHINGTON, D.C.**

DATELINE: WASHINGTON, D.C.

WHO: Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property.

WHAT: Introduced a controversial, sweeping legislative package titled the “Digital Accountability and Modernization Act of 2023,” or DAMA, which proposes a complete restructuring of Section 230 liability shields.

WHEN: Introduced this morning at 10:00 AM EST, following a closed-door meeting with the Senate Majority Leader.

WHERE: The Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C.

WHY: Senator Tillis states the bill is a direct response to the “systemic failure” of social media platforms to prevent the online distribution of non-consensual intimate images, child exploitation material, and foreign disinformation, arguing current legal protections allow platforms to “ignore victim testimony.”

HOW: The proposed legislation would revoke a platform’s immunity under Section 230 if it cannot prove it employed “commercially reasonable, auditable, and verifiable” moderation policies to block such content within 48 hours of a verified takedown notice. Platforms violating the standard would face statutory damages of up to $10,000 per violation, with no cap on aggregate liability. Exemptions for Good Samaritan blocking of harmful material remain, but the burden of proof shifts from the complainant to the platform.

EXTRA CONTEXT: DAMA has already drawn sharp partisan opposition from digital rights groups and key House Republicans, who warn it will “destroy encrypted communication” and “force content pre-screening.” Tech trade groups have issued statements calling the bill “unconstitutionally vague.” A procedural vote for markup is scheduled for Thursday.