Congress passed the Communications Decency Act of 1996, but that basically immunizes these Web sites from lies that are posted by their users.

NPR: Slate's Jurisprudence: The Laws of Internet Dating

The prime target of the protest is the Communications Decency Act , the part of the telecom bill that would outlaw the transmission of sexually explicit materials to minors.

CNN: Debate rages over bill to restrict 'Net smut

In response to the early court decisions, to avoid the chilling effect of potential liability in a medium of prolific speech, and to encourage the active monitoring, editing and removal of unlawful content online without the disincentive of having such actions lead to claims of liability for being a publisher, Congress enacted Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

FORBES: What Is The CDA And How Can It Help You And Your Company Avoid Liability?

Mentioned above, the Communications Decency Act is legislation that Congress passed to protect the free flow of information online by stating that websites could not be sued for carrying defamatory material.

FORBES: The frustrating quest for protection from anonymous Web surfers