Another complex internet case seems to flummox Supreme Court

In hearing Twitter v. Taamneh, the Supreme Court was attempting to interpret a 2016 anti-terrorism law, Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), that allowed U.S. citizens to sue anyone who “aids and abets, by knowingly providing substantial assistance” to someone committing a terrorist act. Given the vague language and complex guidelines in JASTA and a 1983 decision on what it is to “aid and abet” terrorism, the court gave no clear indication of how they would rule but seemed to search for a way to make a narrow ruling on the case that would not damage internet companies’ business. (Vox, February 22, 2023, by Ian Millhiser)

Some justices seem to want some way to hold Twitter responsible for indirectly supporting the terrorist attack at the heart of the case even if there was no clear way to make that happen. (CNN Business, February 22, 2023, by Brian Fund and Tierney Sneed)

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