Florida law would fine social media companies for censoring politicians

TITLE PLACEHOLDER | Cyber In :60 | GZERO Media

Marietje Schaake, International Policy Director at Stanford's Cyber Policy Center, Eurasia Group senior advisor and former MEP, discusses trends in big tech, privacy protection and cyberspace:

What is the deal with the new Florida law that fines social media companies for censoring politicians?

Well, it's a deal of Floridian politics, it is informed by Republican anger about the banning of President Trump off of Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. But the last word has not been said about the new law. Challenges based on companies' first amendment rights, as well as compatibility with current intermediary liability exemptions, like Section 230, will probably be fought out in court.

Will the law help or hurt the spread of misinformation on social media?

Now clearly, not only politicians like Trump have been guilty of sharing dis and misinformation, others have, too. So one law, in one state, will unlikely solve that vast and also complicated problem.

More from GZERO Media

Refugee women stand in the Gorom refugee settlement during Foreign Minister Baerbock's visit.
Michael Kappeler/dpa via Reuters Connect

The United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan has just issued a new report accusing the Rapid Support Forces militia of using sexual violence to control civilians in their territory.

Workers are seen outside of the Independent Electoral Commission, where votes will be tallied, on the day before the election, in Gaborone, Botswana October 29, 2024.
REUTERS/Thalefang Charles

The party that has governed Botswana since independence is facing an unexpectedly stiff challenge, as the diamond-rich African nation of 2.5 million heads to the polls against a backdrop of unprecedented economic challenges.

Palestinian baby Reem Abu Hayya, 8 months old, is being cared for by her grandmother in the family home in the town of Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Yunis Palestinian baby Reem Abu Hayya, 8 months old, is being cared for by her grandmother in the family home in the town of Abasan al-Kabira, east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, on October 29, 2024.
IMAGO/APAimages via Reuters Connect