Florida Legislature Passes Bill to Criminalize “Deplatforming” on Social Media
Florida is working to pass one of the strictest big tech laws in the country that would permanently prohibit social media and tech companies from “deplatforming” Floridians on social media.
The Florida state legislature overwhelmingly voted last week to advance Senate Bill 7072 which would criminalize the banning or removal of any Florida political candidate. The sweeping crackdown on tech censorship passed in the House by a 77-38 vote and in the Senate with a 23-17 vote.
According to the latest version of the bill, social media companies who violate the legislation would be subject to a daily fine of $250,000 for the deplatforming of any statewide candidate for public office.
If the big tech companies were to continue to remove or ban political candidates, they would be subject to an additional $25,000 fine for each local political candidate who is “deplatformed.”
Fines would not apply in the event of temporary 14-day suspensions.
Republican State Representative John Snyder said to critics that the bill was not about President Trump but rather Florida citizens, “This bill is about the 22 million Floridians and their First Amendment rights.”
Florida’s state legislature’s measure to place limitations on Big Tech censorship comes after Governor Ron DeSantis first introduced the idea of imposing fines on social media companies who ban or remove political candidates during a prior speech.
The current version of the bill is on its way back to the Florida Senate to approve the House’s amendments before it is sent to the governor’s desk for final approval.
Should Big Tech be broken up? Do you support what the Florida Legislature is trying to do? Will they succeed? Comment your thoughts below!