Relating To Offenses Against The Internet.
If enacted, SB357 would amend the Hawaii Revised Statutes to include provisions that allow users of social media platforms to bring civil actions for the deletion or censoring of their speech. It provides a clear legal basis for users affected by what they perceive as unfair censorship by social media companies. Notably, the bill stipulates that any intentional deletion or censorship of speech deemed religious or political can result in significant damages, including a minimum of $75,000 per incident, thereby elevating the stakes for social media operators in handling user content.
SB357, known as the 'Stop Social Media Censorship Act', is a proposed legislation in Hawaii aimed at addressing perceived injustices in the operation of social media platforms, which are regarded as essential venues for public discourse. The bill seeks to establish stricter regulations on how these platforms manage content related to religious and political speech, considering them as digital public squares that warrant the protection of users' rights. The legislation emphasizes the importance of allowing a diverse range of ideologies to coexist and thrive within these public forums without undue interference from platform owners.
The bill has sparked significant debate among stakeholders. Proponents argue that it is a necessary measure to protect freedom of expression and to ensure that social media platforms do not wield excessive power over speech, particularly speech relating to sensitive political or religious matters. Conversely, critics contend that the legislation may lead to challenges in content moderation practices, potentially allowing harmful speech to proliferate under the guise of protected expression. Additionally, the definition of terms such as 'hate speech' and 'algorithm' within the bill raises concerns regarding enforcement and the subjective nature of speech classification.