Oklahoma Senate Bill SB730

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Censorship of social media; creating cause of action for deletion or censorship of certain speech, establishing procedures for certain actions. Effective date.

Impact

If enacted, SB730 could significantly alter the relationship between social media companies and their users in Oklahoma. Specifically, social media websites would be prohibited from willfully deplatforming candidates for public office and would face substantial fines for violations. This provision could challenge social media policies and require platforms to develop new mechanisms for identifying candidates and processing their content, leading to a more regulated environment for online expression.

Summary

Senate Bill 730 aims to address issues around censorship in social media platforms, particularly relating to political and religious speech. The bill establishes a legal framework that allows users to pursue a cause of action if a social media website deletes or censors their speech. This includes empowering the users to seek damages for intentional acts of censorship. The bill defines critical terms and outlines the legal implications and responsibilities of social media platforms regarding the treatment of users' speech.

Contention

The bill has sparked considerable debate regarding the balance between protecting free speech and the responsibilities of social media platforms. Critics argue that while the intent is to safeguard political speech, it may inadvertently encourage the proliferation of harmful speech under loosely defined terms such as 'hate speech' and 'obscene.' Additionally, the bill's provisions on algorithms and censorship standards raise concerns about the potential for reduced content moderation, which some believe is necessary to maintain civil discourse on these platforms. Supporters, however, contend that the bill is essential for ensuring that political discourse remains open and fair, particularly during election cycles.