Topic: Internet Law

The legal protections of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act are under scrutiny as tech platforms act more like traditional publishers. While companies claim they are not publishers to avoid liability, they simultaneously invoke First Amendment editorial rights to justify content moderation. The hosts argue that by using algorithms to curate and promote content, these companies have effectively become authors and publishers.

President Obama's claims regarding the ease of buying guns over the internet are challenged by the fact that online purchases must still be shipped to a Federally Licensed Firearms (FFL) dealer for a background check. The "gun show loophole" is described as a mischaracterization of private sales. One specific executive action—making the background check system available 24/7—is noted as potentially making gun sales easier rather than harder.

Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan is pushing for new legislation that would allow the government to block websites without a court order and require ISPs to store user browsing history for two years. These measures have sparked violent protests in Istanbul, though Erdogan claims the laws are similar to those already in place in the U.S. and Europe. The move is part of a broader power struggle between Erdogan and the Gulenist "Hizmet" movement.

"Curry's Law" is introduced: "The more technology is centralized, the more it enslaves us." This is contrasted with "Dvorak's Law" regarding hookers in a depression. The centralization of the internet through platforms like Facebook and Google is criticized, specifically noting that Google Fiber prohibits users from running their own servers, further stripping away the original decentralized nature of the internet.

The Eurozone officially enters a recession after two quarters of negative growth. In Greece, journalist Costas Vaxevanis faces a retrial for publishing the "Lagarde List" of alleged tax evaders. The show concludes with a note on new internet laws in the UAE and a final sign-off for the Thanksgiving episode.

The discussion shifts to the influence of Saudi Arabia on the Muslim Brotherhood and Western politicians. Adam Curry highlights the erosion of free speech in Europe, citing the trial of Geert Wilders and laws preventing the disparagement of religion. They argue that "Sharia for Holland" and similar groups are working to implement Islamic law within the European Union.

The hosts discuss the motivations behind SOPA and PIPA, suggesting that law enforcement agencies prefer automated "DNS poisoning" over traditional, labor-intensive investigations. Curry recounts a conversation with an FBI agent from the 1990s to illustrate the long-standing desire for built-in monitoring and enforcement mechanisms in consumer electronics.

Vice President Joe Biden's comments comparing illegal streaming to "breaking the window at Tiffany's" signal new strict laws that could lead to jail time for streamers. In response, the hosts consider changing the No Agenda stream to an "All Talk" format to avoid music licensing issues. They jokingly suggest a 24/7 "Louis Louis" or "Don Ho" station as a fallback.

Tennessee passed a new law making it a crime to post images that cause emotional distress without a legitimate purpose. The hosts argue the law is unconstitutional and could be used to criminalize internet gags or controversial political content, leading them to jokingly declare the podcast illegal in the state.

The Virginia Attorney General warns that the FCC is moving to regulate the internet despite a 2010 court ruling stating they lacked the authority to do so. This move is described as a "brazen disregard for the rule of law" by the Obama administration. In response, the hosts promote their "podcast licenses" as a humorous way for creators to claim authorization when government regulators eventually "knock on the door."

The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Department and MSNBC issued warnings to parents about "Pedobear," incorrectly identifying the internet meme as a mascot for pedophiles. The hosts mock the report, explaining that the character is a common millennial meme from 4chan and not a tool for luring children. They criticize law enforcement and media for failing to understand internet culture.

The hosts analyze clips from a Law and Order episode featuring actor Rob Corddry, which they characterize as propaganda against internet vigilantism and texting while driving. They deconstruct the "surreal" dialogue regarding words on the internet having lethal consequences and a plot involving a woman claiming to receive messages from the devil. The segment highlights how mainstream television dramas often push specific social and legal narratives.

Belgium is facing a significant internal rift between its French-speaking and Flemish-speaking populations, with some suggesting the Flemish region could rejoin the Netherlands. Simultaneously, Belgian entities are reportedly suing Google over unwanted search links. The hosts characterize the country's political and legal situation as increasingly fractured and eccentric.