Censorship; prohibiting censorship activities by certain entities; providing for ineligibility for certain tax benefits. Effective date.
If enacted, SB1815 would significantly alter the regulatory landscape for entities engaged in content moderation. It stipulates that any entity receiving tax breaks, subsidies, exemptions, or incentives from the state would be ineligible to receive these benefits if found to have engaged in censorship activities. This change could have financial implications for many businesses, particularly those in the tech sector. The Attorney General is tasked with enforcement, which indicates a shift in the state's approach towards regulating content management by private companies.
Senate Bill 1815, introduced by Senator Dahm, aims to address censorship practices by certain entities operating under the protections of the Communications Decency Act. The bill seeks to impose fines on entities that engage in censorship activities that fall under the definition of a publisher, particularly when they remove content that is not prohibited by law. Each violation could incur a penalty of $10,000, creating a strong financial disincentive against such practices. This bill highlights a growing concern regarding the perceived censorship by social media platforms and similar entities regarding user-generated content.
The bill has garnered a mixture of support and opposition. Proponents argue that it is necessary to protect free speech and prevent what they view as overreach by tech companies in controlling information. Critics, however, express concerns about the potential chilling effect this legislation could have on private companies' ability to moderate content, potentially leading to the spread of harmful or false information. There is also apprehension that the definition of censorship could be interpreted broadly, resulting in unintended consequences for genuine content moderation practices.