On Friday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of a Texas law that forbids online platforms from moderating users’ content “based on the viewpoint of the user.” “Prohibiting social media sites from taking down harmful content would mean more hate speech, harassment, and misinformation online,” said Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich.… Continue reading Fifth Circuit Upholds Texas Law Banning Content Moderation
Author: cmackenzie
Letter to the FTC: Competition Policy Should Support Web3
White House Releases Crypto Framework
On Friday, President Biden released a Framework for the Responsible Development of Digital Assets, aggregating agency feedback and reports responding to the President’s crypto executive order. The new framework calls on federal agencies to tackle a range of issues relating to digital assets including consumer protections, financial stability, fostering innovation, protecting the environment, and strengthening… Continue reading White House Releases Crypto Framework
FTC Goes After Gig Work
On Thursday, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) narrowly voted in favor of a policy statement on gig work, covering issues ranging from worker classification to earning claims to collective bargaining to non-compete clauses. The policy statement passed in a party line 3-2 vote. “The thrust of the FTC’s policy statement is that gig work is… Continue reading FTC Goes After Gig Work
CA Lawsuit Against Amazon Could Force Higher Prices
On Wednesday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a new antitrust lawsuit against Amazon, targeting the company for highlighting merchants who offer their lowest prices on the platform. Specifically AG Bonta’s lawsuit alleges that Amazon’s practice of highlighting low-priced products in a “buy box” is anticompetitive. “People come to Amazon to save money, but this… Continue reading CA Lawsuit Against Amazon Could Force Higher Prices
Saporta Report Op-Ed: Georgia Democrats know the importance of content moderation online. National Democrats should take note.
White House Calls for Section 230 “Removal” Following Tech Listening Session
On Thursday, the White House released a set of Principles for Enhancing Competition and Tech Platform Accountability, including calls for increased transparency, stronger privacy protections, and competition legislation. One of the announced principles advocates for “the removal of special protections for large tech platforms,” including changes to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA).… Continue reading White House Calls for Section 230 “Removal” Following Tech Listening Session
Press Conference: Stop the JCPA
On Wednesday – the day prior to a planned Senate Judiciary Committee markup of the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act (S. 673) – a group of advocates will host a press conference to raise concerns about the bill. The press conference follows a recent coalition letter, sent by a group of 21 organizations, urging Senate… Continue reading Press Conference: Stop the JCPA
CA Social Media Bill Exposes Content Moderation Playbook
On Tuesday, the California Assembly passed A.B. 587, legislation requiring social media companies to file quarterly reports on their content moderation policies. The bill, which already passed the California State Senate, would force online platforms to share specific details on what behavior results in temporary or permanent bans and content removal. As California legislators initially… Continue reading CA Social Media Bill Exposes Content Moderation Playbook
Biden Signs Inflation Reduction Act
On Wednesday, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law, legislation that includes sweeping climate and health care provisions. The IRA contains $369 billion in climate and energy-related funding as well as provisions setting a 15% minimum corporate tax rate. Altogether, the law is expected to reduce climate emissions in the U.S. 40… Continue reading Biden Signs Inflation Reduction Act