Supreme Court Holds Option to Sidestep Social Media Shield Issue

A day after the US Supreme Court grappled with a high-stakes clash that could roll back liability protections for internet companies, the justices will hear a related case that may provide a way to sidestep the thorny issue.

The Wednesday argument tests whether social media companies can be sued under a federal anti-terrorism law for not doing enough to remove Islamic State videos. If the answer is no, the justices might not need to resolve broader questions about Section 230, the provision that has given companies sweeping protection from lawsuits since 1996.

The Supreme Court expressed wariness about opening internet ...