Gov. DeSantis Signs Fla. Social Media Bill, Draws Industry Ire

Internet industry groups called illegal a Florida social media law signed Monday by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). NetChoice and the Computer and Communications Industry Association declined comment whether they will sue. SB-7072 makes it unlawful for sites to deplatform political candidates and requires sites be transparent about policing, unless the site owns a Florida theme park (see 2104300059). That protects “real Floridians” from “Silicon Valley elites,” DeSantis said Monday. “If Big Tech censors enforce rules inconsistently, to discriminate in favor of the dominant Silicon Valley ideology, they will now be held accountable.” The law violates the First Amendment, said NetChoice General Counsel Carl Szabo. “By carving out companies like Disney and Universal, Florida’s legislature revealed its anti-tech fervor and true intent to punish social media for allegations of anti-conservative bias.” CCIA President Matt Schruers said the “unconstitutional bill threatens to create more opportunities for foreign extremists peddling anti-American propaganda and fewer opportunities for internet-using Floridians.” Calling Florida’s law a “First Amendment train wreck,” TechFreedom Internet Policy Counsel Corbin Barthold predicted a court case in which Florida throws “everything at the wall, hoping something sticks.” A similar Texas bill is nearing passage. That state’s Senate passed SB-12 April 1. The House included it on a Monday calendar for second reading, a procedural step before the final vote. A committee cleared the bill earlier this month that would allow private lawsuits against social media companies that moderate content (see 2105140069).