The Department of Commerce has filed a petition with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in an effort to combat online censorship. The action is in response to President Trump’s May 28 Executive Order in which he directed the agency to clarify regulations related to current federal communications law.
According to a statement from White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, the petition amends Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act to make clear that social media companies that alter or editorialize users’ speech will not escape civil liability. It also requests that the FCC clarify whether Section 230 provides protection for social media companies’ content moderation decisions, determine the conditions under which social media policies so dictate the flow of information that they are no longer protected, and seek transparency on companies’ moderation practices.
Trump Administration Directs Federal Communications Commission to Combat Big Tech
According to a statement from White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany, the petition amends Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act to make clear that social media companies that alter or editorialize users’ speech will not escape civil liability. It also requests that the FCC clarify whether Section 230 provides protection for social media companies’ content moderation decisions, determine the conditions under which social media policies so dictate the flow of information that they are no longer protected, and seek transparency on companies’ moderation practices.
Trump Administration Directs Federal Communications Commission to Combat Big Tech
