Texas Supreme Court Justice Probes Section 230 Immunity After FOSTA-SESTA

Texas Supreme Court Justice Probes Section 230 Immunity After FOSTA-SESTA

HOUSTON — A Texas Supreme Court Justice questioned long-standing interpretations of Section 230 liability protections this week, while hearing a case that deliberately tests the exception to the so-called “First Amendment of the internet” that was carved out by FOSTA-SESTA for alleged instances of human trafficking.

The Texas Supreme Court is hearing the case after a Harris County district judge and a Houston appellate court rejected Facebook’s argument that Section 230 explicitly shields online platforms from liability for content posted by third-party uploaders.

Lawyers for the three plaintiffs, three women only identified as “Jane Does” who allege they were victims of human trafficking as minors, claim that Facebook would be liable under the exception to Section 230 immunity created in 2018 by FOSTA-SESTA.

The lawyers allege Facebook is liable because it “provided the platform that resulted in their being trafficked,” legal site Law 360 reported.

They accuse Facebook of “negligence, gross negligence and violations of Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 98.002, an anti-trafficking law passed in 2009,” Law 360 reported.

According to the news site, the justices in the Texas Supreme Court questioned during oral arguments yesterday whether Section 230 is applicable if the allegation is that Facebook “provided an unrestricted platform for predators to exploit, extort and recruit children into the sex trade.”

A Republican Justice's Questions

Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann — a Republican appointed by Governor Rick Perry in 2010 and then twice reelected — took aim at Section 230 protections when questioning Facebook’s immunity because it may have “failed to warn users of the dangers of sex trafficking.”

One of the Jane Does’ allegations, Lehrmann highlighted during her questioning of Facebook’s attorney, “is not about the published statement, [but] about the failure of the company to warn that this could lead to violent sexual behavior.”

A lawyer for the Jane Does, Warren Harris of Bracewell LLP, also specifically cited an October 2020 dissent from Justice Clarence Thomas in the Malwarebytes Inc. v. Enigma Software Group USA case.

Thomas surprised legal observers by using that dissent to openly criticize Section 230 and advocate for its reform, a militant act of judicial advocacy from the highest bench that inserted the Justice into an ongoing debate that is the constitutional prerogative of the Legislative branch.

“Courts have long emphasized nontextual arguments when interpreting 230, leaving questionable precedent in their wake," Thomas wrote at the time. "Extending 230 immunity beyond the natural reading of the text can have serious consequences,” he added, and specified his concern about giving companies immunity from civil claims for “knowingly host[ing] illegal child pornography” and “for race discrimination.”

“We should be certain that is what the law demands,” Thomas concluded.

Yesterday, attorney Warren Harris told the Texas Supreme Court that in his view whenever Facebook has knowledge “that traffickers are using its platform to ‘groom children and put them into human trafficking,’ that triggers a duty to warn users,” according to Law 360.

The lawsuit was filed in October 2018, and can be found as Facebook Inc. et al., case number 20-0434, in the Supreme Court of Texas.

Main Image: Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann (Photo: Texas Supreme Court)

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Ofcom: More Porn Providers Commit to Age Assurance Measures

A number of adult content providers operating in the U.K. have confirmed that they plan to introduce age checks in compliance with the Online Safety Act by the July 25 deadline, according to U.K. media regulator Ofcom.

Aylo Says It Will Comply With UK Age Assurance Requirements

Tech and media company Aylo, which owns various adult properties including Pornhub, YouPorn and Redtube, plans to introduce age assurance methods in the United Kingdom that satisfy government rules under the Online Safety Act, the company has announced.

Kyrgyzstan Parliament Approves Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

The Supreme Council of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday passed legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

Trial Set for Lawsuit by U Wisconsin Professor Fired Over Adult Content

A trial date of June 22, 2026, has been set for the civil lawsuit filed by veteran communications professor Joe Gow against the University of Wisconsin board of regents, which fired him for creating and appearing in adult content.

New UK Task Force Meets to Target Adult Content

The architect of an influential report that recommended banning adult content deemed “degrading, violent and misogynistic” has convened an “Independent Pornography Review task force” aimed at translating that report’s findings into action in the U.K.

11:11 Creations Launches Affiliate Program

11:11 Creations principal Alicia Silver has launched 11:11 Cash for creators and affiliates.

Pineapple Support, Pornhub to Host 'Self Love' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Pornhub are hosting a free online support group for performers to develop self-love.

Show More