Louisiana | July 18, 2021
Louisiana’s Senator Kennedy Files Bill Targeting Social Media Companies That Promote Divisive Content
Louisiana | July 18, 2021
Louisiana U.S. Sen. John Kennedy has introduced a bill to limit protections for social media companies that secretly leverage user data to promote divisive content.
Kennedy, a Republican, blasted Silicon Valley behemoths such as Facebook and Twitter for “provoking” platform users and blamed the “manipulative” business practice for causing unnecessary social conflict.
“Social media giants are using people’s data to manipulate them into spending more time on their sites, but the price is a more polarized America,” Kennedy said in a statement. “It’s time to stop rewarding platforms that use their algorithms to target users with content that plays on individuals’ emotions without their consent.”
The bill would deny legal immunity under the Communications Act of 1934, a Roosevelt administration law that allows Section 230 protections for websites hosting third-party content.
Critics allege the internet-based juggernauts should be defined as publishers under the law, not neutral platforms, and thereby subject to the same regulatory scrutiny as radio- and TV-based companies….
(Excerpts from the Virginia Star)
Louisiana | May 6, 2021
Louisiana Senate Rejects Bill Allowing Social Media Companies to Be Sued for Limiting Speech
Louisiana | May 6, 2021
A bill that would allow Louisiana residents to sue social media companies for deleting or limiting religious or political speech has failed to advance in the state’s Senate this week.
The proposed law, known as Senate Bill 196 (pdf), would also have allowed legal actions against social media companies with more than 75 million users that use an algorithm to disfavor or censor a user’s religious or political speech. The bill allowed a social media user in the state to claim actual and punitive damages of up to $75,000.
Under the proposal, users do not have a cause of action when a social media company takes actions against hate speech, calls for violence, obscene or pornographic content, or operational errors.
The Republican-controlled Senate on Tuesday voted 19-18 for the bill, falling short of one vote from passing the upper chamber. A similar bill has also failed to garner the required support in the House. The bill was reconsidered on Wednesday and has been returned to the calendar for further action or consideration at a later time…
(Excerpts from the Epoch Times)