U.S. Reps. Tom Rice (R-SC) and Dave Joyce (R-OH) introduced a bill on Monday that aims to hold large technology companies accountable for social media information moderation policies that censor certain views and opinions.
“From deleting conservative content to banning conservative ads, we’ve seen time and time again that Big Tech lies to the American people when they claim to operate under the guise of neutrality,” said Rep. Rice.
Rep. Rice sponsored the Promoting Responsibility Over Moderation In the Social Media Environment (PROMISE) Act, H.R. 5803, with original cosponsor Rep. Joyce. The bill would require companies that operate social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to implement, operate, and disclose information moderation policies that explain the policies regarding their moderation of information provided by a user or other information content provider, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Rice’s office. That type of policy must include a notification process (if any) utilized to inform users of a moderation action taken, the rationale for the moderation decision, and if there are any options for redress.
“The PROMISE Act will help keep Big Tech from weaponizing against Americans who hold differing views than the billionaires of Silicon Valley,” Rep. Rice said.
H.R. 5803 also would prohibit a company from making a deceptive policy statement regarding its information moderation policy. In addition, the bill, if enacted, would make violations of the requirements to implement and disclose an information moderation policy or not to make a deceptive policy statement constitute an unfair practice in violation of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission.
“With just a small handful of platforms dominating the exchange of ideas online, it’s critical that their content moderation policies be implemented consistently and fairly across the board,” Rep. Joyce said. “Unfortunately, we now know that Big Tech and Silicon Valley often do the exact opposite, suppressing speech and views they disagree with.”
H.R. 5803 is the companion bill to the Senate’s PROMISE Act, S. 427, introduced by U.S. Sens. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Jerry Moran (R-KS) in February.
“The natural competition of all thought and expression – not just those that are popular in elite circles – is a staple of any free, democratic society,” Rep. Joyce added.