What are some important internet laws I should know?

When you use the internet in California, you are not in some lawless space where your actions carry no consequences. There are actually plenty of laws governing the internet and your activity when you are online. It is important for you to understand these laws, so you do not face penalties or legal action against you.

According to Digital Trends, if you are the owner of an interactive website where users can post items, then you should know about Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. This protects you from being liable for the things your users post or say on your website.

Another important law is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. This is important whether you own a website or are just an internet user. It protects copyrights online. If you are a website owner, it requires you to watch for and remove copyrighted materials that are posted by others on your site. However, it also protects you from being sued for copyright infringement if a user posts protected items on your site. As a user, it will protect your copyrighted materials from being used with abandon by others online.

There are many laws that have been updated or changed due to the increased use of the internet. Some even affect internet use on your cell phone, such as the Patriot Act. Some have been altered to include the internet, like the above mentioned DMCA. This information is only intended to educate and should not be interpreted as legal advice.