Author: cmackenzie

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

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

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

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

As South Carolina lawmakers host a hearing today on state abortion policy following the end of Roe, a coalition of tech, health care, and civil rights groups are urging the legislature to reject S. 1373, a bill that would censor health care content online. S. 1373 bans websites and online platforms from hosting information on… Continue reading Coalition Urges SC Lawmakers to Stop Reproductive Health Censorship Bill

On Thursday, the California State Senate Appropriations Committee halted Assembly Bill 2408 – a bill holding social media services liable for “addicting” teenagers – effectively ending its movement through the legislative process.  While well intentioned, the bill excluded some forms of digital content including video games and included loopholes for smaller social media platforms that… Continue reading CA Senate Halts Social Media Addiction Bill