Iowa Senate Bill SSB1189

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/23
• Refer: 2/27/23

Caption

A bill for an act relating to censorship of expression on online platforms, and providing penalties.(See SF 486.)

Impact

Notably, corporations operating platforms with over ten million users in Iowa will be required to pay quarterly fees, calculated based on their revenue and the number of active users based in the state. These fees are designed to support initiatives like the Iowa communications network fund. This financial obligation is particularly significant for large digital service providers, which could potentially influence their business models and operational strategies in the state. The Attorney General will also play a role in determining user counts and fee assessments, establishing a regulatory framework for compliance and collection.

Summary

Senate Study Bill 1189, known as The Protecting Online Free Speech Act, aims to regulate censorship practices on market-dominant online platforms. It defines key terms such as 'active state user' and outlines conditions under which online platforms must operate transparently with respect to their content moderation policies. The bill seeks to ensure that platforms cannot impose undue restrictions on user-generated content and mandates the publication of statistics regarding content moderation actions, such as demonetization and deplatforming within the state. Furthermore, it obligates platforms that meet certain revenue thresholds to pay fees that support universal service programs.

Contention

The bill has generated discussions around the balance between protecting free speech and the responsibilities of digital platforms to moderate harmful content. Proponents argue that it safeguards user rights against arbitrary censorship while opponents caution that it could impair the ability of platforms to manage harmful or illegal content effectively. The liability provisions, which include penalties for non-compliance, also highlight the potential for legal and operational challenges that could arise for online service providers in adequately navigating the new regulatory landscape.