STOP HATE Act of 2023 Stopping Terrorists Online Presence and Holding Accountable Tech Entities Act of 2023
Impact
The legislation introduces significant changes to how social media companies will operate, particularly in their obligations to inform users about the rules governing user-generated content. With civil penalties reaching up to $5 million per violation per day for non-compliance, platforms are incentivized to adhere strictly to these new guidelines from the outset. Importantly, a report from the Attorney General will be required detailing the company's compliance and its response to service violations, thus ensuring ongoing oversight. This act may reshape platform policies significantly, aimed at combating the spread of terrorist-related content online.
Summary
House Bill 6463, titled the 'Stopping Terrorists Online Presence and Holding Accountable Tech Entities Act of 2023' (or 'STOP HATE Act'), mandates the publication of terms of service by social media platforms. It specifically targets platforms operated by social media companies with over 25 million unique monthly users. These platforms must publicly disclose their terms of service regarding content related to foreign terrorist organizations and individuals designated as global terrorists by the government. By setting a deadline of 180 days post-enactment for compliance, this bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in how social media companies manage content associated with terrorist activities.
Contention
While the bill's intention is to combat the online presence of terrorists, there are concerns regarding the implications this could have on user privacy and freedom of expression. Critics may argue that enforcing strict content moderation policies positions tech companies in the role of regulators, which could lead to overreach and the limiting of legitimate discourse online. Furthermore, the requirement for regular reporting could pressure companies to adopt overly aggressive moderation strategies to avoid financial penalties, therefore impacting how diverse viewpoints are expressed and shared on their platforms.