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Liability

Supreme Court building and terrorists shown in profile | Illustration: Lex Villena; Catalin, Adam Parent

Social Media

Supreme Court Swats Down Attempts To Hold Twitter, Google Financially Liable for Terrorism

The narrow rulings concluded the platforms aren’t responsible for bad people using their communication services.

Scott Shackford | 5.18.2023 12:52 PM

People protesting police killing of Tyre Nichols | Shay Horse/ZUMAPRESS/Newscom

Police Abuse

Tyre Nichols' Killing Brings Police Reform Back into Public Debate

There are ways to reduce abusive behavior while still protecting public safety.

J.D. Tuccille | 2.1.2023 7:00 AM

A child presses the button to open TikTok. | Photo 187890355 © Improvisor | Dreamstime.com

Social Media

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against TikTok Over Child's Death in Blackout Challenge

In his dismissal order, the judge cited Section 230, the law protecting websites from liability for user-generated content.

Joe Lancaster | 10.27.2022 4:30 PM

YouTube recommendations | Sebastian Czapnik / Dreamstime.com

Social Media

Supreme Court To Hear 2 Cases About Social Media Moderation and Liability for Terrorism

Does Section 230 shield YouTube from lawsuits about recommendations? Can Twitter be forced to pay damages over the terrorists it hasn’t banned?

Scott Shackford | 10.3.2022 2:00 PM

krtphotoslive877451 | Cloe Poisson/TNS/Newscom

Sandy Hook School Shooting

Gun-Maker Remington Settles with Sandy Hook Families Over Alleged Liability for Misuse of Weapon They Made

A settlement means no official legal precedent is set, but holding gun sellers responsible for crimes of gun users could harm Americans' ability to enjoy their Second Amendment rights.

Brian Doherty | 2.15.2022 2:56 PM

CNN_1161x653 | Sean Pavone / Dreamstime.com

Facebook

CNN Shuts Down Access to Facebook Pages in Australia After Court Ruling Holding Media Outlets Liable for Commenters

This is where government demands to moderate what users say will ultimately lead.

Scott Shackford | 9.29.2021 12:40 PM

aussiefacebook_1161x653 |  Sedovukr / Dreamstime.com

Media

Australia's Highest Court Holds Media Outlets Financially Liable for Trolls and Shitposters

Here’s why Section 230 is so important.

Scott Shackford | 9.9.2021 12:10 PM

sipaphotoseleven582733 | Thiago Prudencio / SOPA Images/S/Newscom

Reason Roundup

Court Says Snapchat Can Be Sued for Deaths of Trio Using App During Fatal Crash

Plus: The challenges of free speech on Twitter, the case against baseball bailouts, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 5.5.2021 9:30 AM

reason-mcconnell2 | Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call/Newscom

Coronavirus

Should You Be Able To Sue a Business for Exposing You to Coronavirus?

Renewed wrangling over another relief bill has raised the possibility that Congress will pass sweeping liability protections for businesses accused of contributing to the spread of COVID-19.

Christian Britschgi | 9.29.2020 11:45 AM

capitol | Alex Edelman/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Coronavirus

How To Reboot the Government with Common Sense

Hold agencies and regulators accountable for outcomes, not compliance.

Nick Gillespie | 6.26.2020 3:35 PM

comment_1161x653 | Cateyeperspective / Dreamstime.com

Censorship

Australian Court Rules Media Outlets Are Responsible for Facebook Users' Comments

Online censorship is coming, and it’s going to be bad news for everybody.

Scott Shackford | 6.1.2020 1:55 PM

westendrf417554 | Andrew Brookes/Westend61 GmbH/Newscom

Encryption

Senators Push Sneaky Anti-Privacy Bill

The EARN IT is an attack on encryption masquerading as a blow against underage porn.

J.D. Tuccille | 3.9.2020 1:30 PM

Large image on homepages | Tangducminh/Dreamstime.com

Supreme Court

How Far Should Blame for Asbestos Go?

Thanks to its role overseeing maritime law, the Supreme Court will soon rule on liability limits for manufacturers adjacent to the asbestos industry.

Walter Olson | 12.28.2018 1:30 PM

Large image on homepages | Andor Bujdoso / Dreamstime

Free-Range Kids

Penn State's 98-Year-Old Outing Club Is No Longer Allowed to Go Outside

"Student safety in any activity is our primary focus."

Lenore Skenazy | 4.22.2018 4:50 PM

Large image on homepages | Tea / Dreamstime

NLRB

Federal Labor Board Reverses Bad Decision that Made Corporations Responsible for Franchise Decisions

Union influence (and the pursuit of deep pockets) temporarily overruled economic literacy and common sense.

Scott Shackford | 12.15.2017 2:31 PM

Large image on homepages

Self-driving vehicles

If You're Not Driving, Then You Shouldn't be Liable for Accidents in Self-Driving Cars

Fewer and less destructive accidents also mean lower overall liability costs

Ronald Bailey | 2.27.2017 5:00 PM

Large image on homepages | David Bro/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Internet

Yelp Refuses to Remove Reviews Ruled Defamatory—With Good Reason. Will California Supreme Court Agree?

The precedent-setting case could have major implications for all sorts of online publishers.

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 9.22.2016 4:10 PM

Large image on homepages

Politics

No Justice For Flint Water Victims

Unlike private companies, they can't sue their government

Shikha Dalmia | 2.2.2016 4:00 PM

Large image on homepages

Politics

Guvmint Is Not Done Screwing Over Flint Water Victims Yet

Victims can't sue government, that's the other crime

Shikha Dalmia | 1.29.2016 9:11 AM

Large image on homepages

Politics

Court Lets Government Motors Keep its Liability Shield and Screw Over Crash Victims

The GM bailout is a gift that keeps on giving to the company.

Shikha Dalmia | 4.15.2015 7:04 PM

Politics

General Motors' Bailout Still Screwing Over Americans

Shikha Dalmia | 3.21.2014 9:03 AM

Policy

Uber Faces Lawsuit over Girl's Death in San Francisco

Driver was alleged logged into app when he struck girl

Reason Staff | 1.27.2014 3:30 PM

Large image on homepages | cc

Politics

Jerry Brown is All Talk on Teacher-Pension Mess

Talking about a problem is one thing, and using one's political capital to fix it is quite another.

Steven Greenhut | 1.17.2014 12:00 PM

Policy

BP Sues Lawyer, Accusing Him of False Oil Spill Claims

Firm says he fraudulently claimed to represent thousands of people affected by oil spill to get money

Reason Staff | 12.17.2013 5:10 PM

Policy

Supreme Court Hears Case About Airline Lawsuit Immunity Related to Threats

Can an airline be held liable for defamation?

Reason Staff | 12.9.2013 6:30 PM

Policy

Escort Agency Gets Money from BP Oil Spill Claims

Court approved $173,000

Reason Staff | 12.6.2013 4:30 PM

Policy

Court Rules Negligence Didn't Cause Third WTC Tower Collapse

Fell several hours after 9/11 terrorism attack

Reason Staff | 12.4.2013 3:30 PM

Culture

Former Frat Boys Found Not Liable in Hazing Death

Pledge died of alcohol poisoning in 2008

Reason Staff | 11.15.2013 4:40 PM

Policy

Judge Allows Jury to Hear Civil Case over Botched Tenn. Raid

Sheriff's Department burned down a mobile home

Reason Staff | 11.11.2013 6:50 PM

Policy

Jury Awards $150 Million in Wrongful Death Case

Part of family killed after strike truck that parked on side of highway with no lights

Reason Staff | 10.29.2013 4:30 PM

Policy

Jury Awards $3 Million in Toyota Sudden Acceleration Case

Passenger killed in Oklahoma crash

Reason Staff | 10.25.2013 3:30 PM

War on Drugs

Oklahoma Attorney Suing Drug Dealers On Behalf of Buyers' Children

Using a little known liability law

Reason Staff | 9.13.2013 11:30 AM

Policy

Aurora Theater Wins Dismissal of Some Shooting Lawsuits

Judge tosses negligence claims, but liability and wrongful death suits remain

Reason Staff | 4.18.2013 11:52 AM

Culture

Dr. Oz Sued Over Injury Due to Home Remedy

Involved fighting insomnia with rice heated in a microwave.

Reason Staff | 3.20.2013 2:45 PM

Policy

French Court Overturns Continental Airlines Conviction in Concorde Deaths

But the civil settlement against the defunct carrier stands

Reason Staff | 11.29.2012 2:20 PM

Policy

United Cleared of Liability for Letting 9/11 Terrorists Through Security

Of course, the TSA would have caught em quick

Reason Staff | 11.21.2012 6:40 PM

Policy

Military Contractor Ruled Liable for Soldiers' Illnesses

Ordered to pay $85 million

Reason Staff | 11.2.2012 10:30 PM

Politics

California to Let Early Space Adventurers Kill Themselves, As Long As They Are Informed About Risks

Katherine Mangu-Ward | 9.25.2012 3:08 PM

Policy

Wal-Mart Not at Fault for Man's Misuse of Ammunition

Miraculously, the court said the shooter is responsible for his own actions

Reason Staff | 9.7.2012 9:00 PM

Politics

Recalled Legislators Unlikely to Fix Illinois Pension Crisis

State has unfunded liabilities of $83 billion.

Reason Staff | 8.17.2012 9:16 AM

Politics

Conrad Murray Open Thread

Tim Cavanaugh | 10.14.2011 7:16 PM

Politics

Who Caused the Oil Spill? After All, It Was You and Me

Brian Doherty | 6.10.2010 2:04 PM

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