October Term 2022 · Docket 21-1496
Does providing a tool to a criminal count as aiding and abetting?
Twitter argues it cannot face liability for user crimes. Plaintiffs claim the platform knowingly aided terrorists.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Twitter's counsel argued that the platform did not provide substantial assistance to the specific crime.
Plaintiffs' counsel argued that the platform knowingly aided the terrorist act.
Justice Thomas used a gun-lending analogy to probe the limits of liability.
Justice Barrett questioned whether the specific destination of the user matters.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 114, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-1 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 29-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 49-25 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 49-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 35-49 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 35-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 144, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 144, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 149, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 149, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 55-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 55-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-13 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 21-39 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 21-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 55-31 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 55-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-43
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the legal line between neutral tools and criminal assistance. The core dispute centers on whether a platform can be liable for user actions.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 114, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 149, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 149, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 55-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 55-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-13 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-13
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on February 22, 2023.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 55-31 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 55-31
What each side wants
Twitter wants the Court to dismiss the lawsuit against it.
Plaintiffs want the Court to allow their damages claim to proceed.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 114, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 149, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 149, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 55-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 55-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-13 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-13
What each side says
Twitter argues that providing a general tool does not constitute substantial assistance to a crime.
Plaintiffs argue that knowingly providing substantial assistance to a terrorist creates liability.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 114, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 149, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 149, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 55-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 55-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-13 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-13
What the justices asked
Justice Thomas asked if lending a gun to a known criminal counts as aiding and abetting.
Justice Barrett asked if the destination of the user matters for liability.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-1 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 29-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 49-25 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 49-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 35-49 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 35-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 144, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 144, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 21-39 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 21-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 55-31 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 55-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-43
Why it matters
This case defines when technology companies face legal responsibility for user crimes. It sets the standard for platform liability in terrorism cases. The outcome shapes future lawsuits against digital service providers.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 114, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 149, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 149, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 55-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 55-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-13 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-13
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 13-25 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 13-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 31-37 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 31-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 49-7 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 49-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 15-19 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 15-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 29-1 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 29-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 7-11 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 7-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 49-25 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 49-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 135, lines 29-41 — Transcript, file page 135, lines 29-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 137, lines 35-35 — Transcript, file page 137, lines 35-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 139, lines 17-41 — Transcript, file page 139, lines 17-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 37-47 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 37-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 140, lines 35-51 — Transcript, file page 140, lines 35-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 141, lines 35-49 — Transcript, file page 141, lines 35-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 142, lines 49-11 — Transcript, file page 142, lines 49-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 143, lines 41-51 — Transcript, file page 143, lines 41-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 144, lines 45-7 — Transcript, file page 144, lines 45-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 145, lines 15-31 — Transcript, file page 145, lines 15-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 15-15 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 15-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 17-17 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 17-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 21-39 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 21-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 41-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 41-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 23-31 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 23-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 55-1 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 55-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 31-11 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 31-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 43-47 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 43-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 74, lines 55-31 — Transcript, file page 74, lines 55-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 25-33 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 25-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 55-7 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 55-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 11-31 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 11-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 21-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 21-43
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 114, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 149, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 149, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 55-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 55-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-13 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 114, lines 31-39 — Transcript, file page 114, lines 31-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 134, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 134, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 149, lines 47-27 — Transcript, file page 149, lines 47-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 53-53 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 53-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 55-15 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 55-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 67, lines 25-13 — Transcript, file page 67, lines 25-13
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.