Gov. Ron DeSantis claims his Transparency in Technology Act would protect free speech. The bill restricts how social media sites moderate objectionable content and requires “detailed definitions” of what content is prohibited. But the bill’s entire premise is backwards. As private entities, social media companies are not bound by First Amendment restrictions. In fact, they have their own First Amendment right to determine who may publish using their websites, and what messages will be allowed.
Florida lawmakers should understand this better than anyone. In Miami Herald Publishing Co. v. Tornillo (1974), the Supreme Court invalidated a Florida law requiring newspapers who ran articles critical of political candidates to publish a reply from the candidate. Florida argued that newspapers had monopoly power and gave a tiny elite an outsized role in public discourse and that “fairness” regulation was necessary to protect the public’s ability to participate in the marketplac
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TAMPA, Fla. Florida s Senate Appropriations Committee will debate a controversial act on Monday that aims to regulate social media platforms that de-platform political candidates.
What You Need To Know
Florida s Senate Appropriations Committee will debate the Transparency in Technology Act on Monday
The Act aims to regulate social medial platforms that de-platform political candidates
The Act proposes fines for social media companies, citizens to be able to sue tech companies, and users to opt-out of controversial algorithms
The Act has already passed some key Florida House Committees
The act was pushed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in February shortly after President Donald Trump was banned for life from Twitter, and tech giants Google and Apple moved to wipe out another popular Republican social media platform called Parler.
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Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) proposed critical legislation to stop Big Tech censorship. Congressman Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and influencers warned, however, that his legislation needed some critical improvements.
The Transparency In Technology Act, or HB 7013, made waves when it was first put forth by DeSantis in February. Gosar responded to the bill in April via Facebook by explaining: “Governor Desantis asked for a true #BigTech reform bill in Florida. This article shows he may not get it if things don t change. Let’s get it together and do real reform.” In the post, he shared an article from The Floridian that shows all manner of conservative leaders warning DeSantis he must change the bill immediately: