Ban Trump? Not so fast. Florida is about to pass a law to stop Facebook and Twitter from censoring p

[BassWrangler]

Ban Trump? Not so fast. Florida is about to pass a law to stop Facebook and Twitter from censoring politicians
Jessica Guynn and John Kennedy, USA TODAY

One of the nation’s largest states is taking on Big Tech.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign into law a bill that would prevent social media companies Facebook, Twitter and Google’s YouTube from “deplatforming” politicians like former President Donald Trump from their platforms.

The bill was approved Thursday by the Republican-controlled state legislature.

It orders social media companies to publish standards with detailed definitions of when someone would be censored or blocked and makes companies subject to as much as $250,000 daily fines for deplatforming a Florida candidate. The bill also requires a social media company to notify users within seven days that they could be censored, giving them time to correct the posting.

Republican lawmakers in Florida say legislation is needed to curb the influence the nation’s leading social media companies have over the national conversation.

"What this bill is about is sending a loud message to Silicon Valley that they are not the absolute arbiters of truth," state Rep. John Snyder, a Republican from the Port St. Lucie area, said Wednesday, according to NBC News.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ban-trump-not-so-fast-florida-is-about-to-pass-a-law-to-stop-facebook-and-twitter-from-censoring-politicians/ar-BB1gf8hp?ocid=msedgntp

[libertybele]

...hmm...are not Facebook and Twitter owned by private entities, therefore, they can censor whomever they want???

It would become a state law perhaps, but they would be able to ban his posts in all the other states?

[BassWrangler]

...hmm...are not Facebook and Twitter owned by private entities, therefore, they can censor whomever they want???

It would become a state law perhaps, but they would be able to ban his posts in all the other states?

$250,000 fine per day.

[libertybele]

$250,000 fine per day.

OK ... so the state of FL may remain GOP --- and the rest of the nation??? 

I'm still waiting for the DEMS to unseat and destroy DeSantis.

[BassWrangler]

OK ... so the state of FL may remain GOP --- and the rest of the nation??? 

I'm still waiting for the DEMS to unseat and destroy DeSantis.

It's not practical for Twitter to have one set of rules for Florida and another for everywhere else. They will sue to try and overcome this law, but if they lose they will have no choice but to submit.

[jmyrlefuller]

$250,000 fine per day.

But as long as Facebook remains based in California (or even nominally Delaware), the company is outside their jurisdiction.

[BassWrangler]

But as long as Facebook remains based in California (or even nominally Delaware), the company is outside their jurisdiction.

They operate a service used by Florida residents. They'll cave just like they did when Australia passed that law.

[Sled Dog]

...hmm...are not Facebook and Twitter owned by private entities, therefore, they can censor whomever they want???

It would become a state law perhaps, but they would be able to ban his posts in all the other states?

No.   They are public utilities and need to be treated as such.   

The power company cannot turn off someone's power just because they're an American.

The gas company cannot turn off someone's gas just because they're an American.

And the public square cannot be closed to the people who are pro-Americans just because the fascists controlling the roads to the square are racist Democrats.    The First Amendment guarantees the right of the people to peaceably assembly and petition their government to redress grievances.

The fascists at Fakebook, Twattor, YouTube, Google and the rest cannot both claim to be the communications nexi of the world and then claim to be independent businesses who are free to engage in whatever racism they feel best promotes their self-interested causes.

So, screw'em.   They want to be shills for fascists?   Then they can get treated like the fascists they are.   Remember what happened to Mussolini?    If we can't get them to do the Hitler Exit, then we have to consider practical alternatives to their tyranny.

[Fishrrman]

While I admire Florida's intent, I'm wondering just how they might actually enforce such a law?

How are they going to "ban" a service like facebook or twitter from entering the state via the net?

And suppose one of these entities decided they would comply with the FL law?
How are they going to stop their site from being accessed in FL?

[BassWrangler]

While I admire Florida's intent, I'm wondering just how they might actually enforce such a law?

How are they going to "ban" a service like facebook or twitter from entering the state via the net?

And suppose one of these entities decided they would comply with the FL law?
How are they going to stop their site from being accessed in FL?

That won't be their problem. They'll take it to court, a judge will issue a restraining order, and if the Twitter execs don't obey, there will be an arrest warrant issued for them. It'll never get that far - they will comply.