Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) this week signed into law a first-of-its-kind policy. The new Florida big tech law allows individuals to sue tech companies for up to $100,000 if the site deplatforms or otherwise mistreats them for no clear reason.
“Many in our state have experienced censorship and other tyrannical behavior firsthand in Cuba and Venezuela,” said DeSantis. “If Big Tech censors enforce rules inconsistency, to discriminate in favor of the dominant Silicon Valley ideally, they will now be held accountable.”
So what does the Florida big tech law entail?
The law goes into effect July 1st. It protects users’ rights by forcing tech companies to maintain transparency about their content moderation practices. It also forces them to provide timely notice of changes to these practices. The Florida big tech law also prohibits any platform with more than 100 million monthly users from deplatforming political candidates in Florida. Just like they did to former President Donald Trump in January.
“Big Tech has a responsibility to be fair and transparent to all of its users, regardless of our political ideology,” argues Florida State Senator Ray Rodrigues. “Requiring Big Tech to define the behaviors that will lead to someone being deplatformed is a significant victory for free speech and I am grateful for our governor’s leadership on this issue.”
Additionally, Florida’s Attorney General can enforce the new law through the state’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Also, any social media platform that violates antitrust law will not be able to contract with public entities, noted DeSantis. Also, social media sites that ban a political candidate will face fines of up to $250,000 per day.
Above all else, the Florida law will stop Big Tech from silencing conservative voices. Like our very own Punching Bag Post.
“What we’ve been seeing across the US is an effort to silence, intimidate, and wipe out dissenting voices by the leftist media and big corporations,” says Florida Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “Today, by signing SB 7072 into law, Florida is taking back the virtual public square as a place where information and ideas can flow freely.”
Sources:
DeSantis Signs Law Allowing People to Sue ‘Big Tech’ for ‘Deplatforming’
Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Bill to Stop the Censorship of Floridians by Big Tech
Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida Signs Big Tech Law To Stop Censorship
Gov. DeSantis signs bill to stop tech companies from censoring politicians