California’s Newsom Signs Social Media Bill to Remove “Hate Speech” and “Extremism.” Defined by Whom?

by James Murphy

Reprinted with permission from TheNewAmerican.com

On Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law AB-587, the Social Media Transparency and Accountability Act, which he euphemistically referred to as a “transparency measure” intended to make the internet safer by requiring social media companies to publicly post their policies regarding so-called hate speech, disinformation, harassment, and extremism. The companies will also be required to report data on their enforcement of these policies.

“California will not stand by as social media is weaponized to spread hate and disinformation that threaten our communities and foundational values as a country,” Newsom said. “Californians deserve to know how these platforms are impacting our public discourse, and this action brings much-needed transparency and accountability to the policies that shape the social media content we consume every day.”

The bill’s author, Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel, a Democrat, claimed that the bill would protect children and other “vulnerable” groups.

“Social media has created incredible opportunities, but also real and proximate threats to our kids, to vulnerable communities, and to American democracy as we know it,” Gabriel said. “This new law will finally pull back the curtain and require tech companies to provide meaningful transparency into how they are shaping our public discourse, as well as the role of social media in promoting hate speech, disinformation, conspiracy theories, and other dangerous content.” Read Full Article >