Over the past few years, social media platforms have come under increased scrutiny for their role in shaping public discourse, spreading misinformation, and amplifying extremist content. As a result, there have been several recent legal developments related to social media. Here are some of the most noteworthy:
Social Media Platforms Face Pressure to Improve Content Moderation
In May 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill that aims to regulate how social media companies moderate content on their platforms. The bill imposes fines on social media companies that ban political candidates and requires companies to disclose their content moderation policies. Critics argue that the bill violates the First Amendment and is likely to face legal challenges.
Antitrust Lawsuits Filed Against Social Media Giants
In December 2020, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 46 state attorneys general filed antitrust lawsuits against Facebook, alleging that the company had engaged in anti-competitive practices to maintain its dominance in the social media market. The lawsuits seek to force Facebook to divest its acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp and to prevent the company from making future anti-competitive acquisitions.
Social Media Platforms Face Lawsuits Over Election Disinformation
In January 2021, Dominion Voting Systems filed a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani over his false claims of election fraud on social media. Dominion Voting Systems is also pursuing similar lawsuits against other individuals and media outlets who spread disinformation about the election.
Tech Companies Push Back Against Encryption Backdoors
In October 2021, a coalition of tech companies, including Apple, Google, and Microsoft, signed a letter opposing proposals to create encryption backdoors that would allow law enforcement agencies to access encrypted data on social media platforms. The companies argue that backdoors would weaken security for all users and make them more vulnerable to cyberattacks.
