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House Bill 20.
It makes it illegal for large companies (50 million plus users) to ban posters or posts due to political orientation. This means YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, et. al.
It also requires public explanation for all deletions/bans/suspensions/etc.
Texas passed it last year, but an immediate suit had put a freeze on the issue while the 5th Appeals court considered it. The companies (NetChoice & CCIAA) argued their ability to curate was innate due to freedom of speech (on the part of the social media company).
They believed the Texas law similar enough to Florida's previous attempt to be ruled unconstitutional, but the 5th Circuit said; "Nope."
The companies that brought the suit are now complaining this law protects all political stances, "extremists" included. The cite "God Bless America" and "Death To America" will now both have to be given a place. (To be honest, I can't recall any major social media site banning/deleting anti-US government posts, but I haven't really gone looking.)
Some believe this protects free speech, others claim it violates it. I think we can agree it certainly expands the arena of public discourse.
Edit: Text of bill
https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/872/billtext/html/HB00020S.htm
It's going to be a fine system.
It makes it illegal for large companies (50 million plus users) to ban posters or posts due to political orientation. This means YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, et. al.
It also requires public explanation for all deletions/bans/suspensions/etc.
Texas passed it last year, but an immediate suit had put a freeze on the issue while the 5th Appeals court considered it. The companies (NetChoice & CCIAA) argued their ability to curate was innate due to freedom of speech (on the part of the social media company).
They believed the Texas law similar enough to Florida's previous attempt to be ruled unconstitutional, but the 5th Circuit said; "Nope."
The companies that brought the suit are now complaining this law protects all political stances, "extremists" included. The cite "God Bless America" and "Death To America" will now both have to be given a place. (To be honest, I can't recall any major social media site banning/deleting anti-US government posts, but I haven't really gone looking.)
Some believe this protects free speech, others claim it violates it. I think we can agree it certainly expands the arena of public discourse.
Edit: Text of bill
https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/872/billtext/html/HB00020S.htm
SECTION 6. Section 321.105(a), Business & Commerce Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) In lieu of actual damages, a person injured by a
violation of this chapter arising from the transmission of an
unsolicited or commercial electronic mail message or by a violation
of Section 321.054 may recover an amount equal to the lesser of:
(1) $10 for each unlawful message or each message
unlawfully impeded, as applicable; or
(2) $25,000 for each day the unlawful message is
received or the message is unlawfully impeded, as applicable.
SECTION 6. Section 321.105(a), Business & Commerce Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) In lieu of actual damages, a person injured by a
violation of this chapter arising from the transmission of an
unsolicited or commercial electronic mail message or by a violation
of Section 321.054 may recover an amount equal to the lesser of:
(1) $10 for each unlawful message or each message
unlawfully impeded, as applicable; or
(2) $25,000 for each day the unlawful message is
received or the message is unlawfully impeded, as applicable.
It's going to be a fine system.
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