Private Companies, Public Squares

The panel discussed the intersection of technology and law in content regulation on the internet. They highlighted that while the First Amendment does not constrain speech hosted by private companies, it is governed by norms and individual choices. Intermediary liability laws determine when platforms should take down user speech due to its illegality. These rules have created today's online ecosystem, with major content provider platforms existing because of these laws passed in the late 90s. The panel also touched upon the issue of private companies taking over government functions and the need for neutrality in internet platforms.