TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Senate on Monday passed legislation requiring social media companies to publish standards for use and abide by them when it comes to de-platforming users.
The legislation carries heavy fines and the threat of lawsuits for would-be violators.
Specifically, big tech platforms face fines up to $100,000 a day if they de-platform a statewide candidate for public office and $10,000 a day for other political candidates.
In 2018, Matt Caldwell, the losing candidate for Florida Agriculture Commissioner was de-platformed for his pro-National Rifle Association ad, which YouTube removed for almost a day.
“They were able to take a whole segment of free press away, saying: we don’t want to hear those words. we don’t want to hear that speech and we’re going to de-platform you,” State Sen. Kelli Stargel said. “This bill fixes that.”
The Senate version of the bill allows either the state or individuals to sue tech companies. Senate Democrats and St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes were among those who voted against the measure
https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/2021/04/26/legislation-targeting-big-tech-clears-florida-senate/