Dangerous disinformation, hate speech, and violent rhetoric are threatening the stability of our democracy and the safety of many communities around the country. Even in the face of that reality, some Democrats are supporting legislation that would strip online platforms of the ability to remove harmful content.
The Open App Markets Act (S. 2710) prohibits online platforms from treating an app “unequally” compared to its own apps or the apps of partners, tying the hands of platforms and preventing them from removing apps that promote hate speech and other dangerous content. Even worse, the bill would allow hoax, hate, and disinformation apps to sue to regain their place in app stores.
During consideration of the bill earlier this year, lawmakers raised serious concerns over the bill creating cybersecurity risks, hamstringing content moderation, and targeting specific tech companies.
Some Democrats have continued to question the disastrous impact of OAMA, warning that “extremist outlets and disinformation sites could sue platforms for blocking them,” forcing platforms to provide soapboxes to outlets like Infowars and Parler.
So why are Democratic lawmakers still supporting MAGA Republicans in spreading harmful content online?