The DOJ asked Congress to erode big tech’s legal protections as Trump accused firms of anti-conservative bias and ‘cancel culture’ – By Isobel Asher Hamilton (Business Insider) / Sept 24 2020
- Attorney General William Barr announced Wednesday the Department of Justice has submitted legislation to Congress to reform the part of the US law that gives tech companies broad powers to moderate their platforms.
- Barr said the proposed legislation is aimed at “requiring greater transparency and accountability when platforms remove lawful speech.”
- The legislation follows on from an executive order issued by President Trump in May targeting social media for alleged anti-conservative bias.
- Trump often claims online platforms are biased against conservatives, but has provided minimal evidence backing this up.
President Trump is ramping up the pressure on social media companies.
At a White House event on Wednesday, Attorney General William Barr announced the DOJ had submitted legislation to reform Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996.
“That legislation addresses concerns about online censorship by requiring greater transparency and accountability when platforms remove lawful speech,” Barr said.
Barr did not elaborate on what powers the legislation would give the government to force tech companies to show their decision-making process for removing content.
Continue to article: https://www.businessinsider.com/doj-asks-congress-to-weaken-section-230-2020-9
