Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., talks with reporters in the Senate subway on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Paul also noted that the person who posted the offending video removed it "under threat of legal penalty."
"My default position as a libertarian/conservative has been to defend the internet liability protections known in law as Section 230 of the Communications Act. The courts have largely ruled that Section 230 shields social-media companies from being sued for content created by third parties," he wrote. "Until now, I had not sufficiently considered the effects of internet providers hosting content accusing people of committing crimes."
The experience was a turning point in his thinking.
"The arrogance of Google to continue hosting this defamatory video and the resultant threats on my life have caused me to rethink Congress’ blind allegiance to liability shields," he asserted.
Chairman Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs confirmation hearing for then-President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought on Capitol Hill on Jan. 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
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"I think Google is, or should be, liable for hosting this defamatory video that accuses me of treason, at least from the point in time when Google was made aware of the defamation and danger," he asserted.
Fox News Digital reached out to Google for comment on Wednesday.
Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rand-paul-says-personal-experience-youtube-google-changed-mind-platform-liability