Florida plans to fine social media companies for banning politicians

[Mr. Sparkle]

Source: BBC

A controversial new bill that would stop tech companies from deplatforming politicians has been approved by both houses in Florida's legislature.The bill must now be signed off by Trump ally, Governor Ron DeSantis.

The legislation allows platforms to suspend accounts, but only for 14 days, and could fine the platforms as much as $250,000 per day for violating the law. NetChoice, a group that promotes free expression on the internet, testified against the legislation last month.

Donald Trump was banned by Twitter and suspend by Facebook and YouTube after the deadly Capitol Hill riots in January. Since leaving office, Donald Trump has spent much of his time in Florida and is believed to be close with Mr DeSantis, as well as other high-ranking Florida Republicans.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-56952435

[ck4829]

1. ""Candidate" has the same meaning as in s. 39106.011(3)(e)."

Which means...

(3)?“Candidate” means a person to whom any of the following applies:
(a)?A person who seeks to qualify for nomination or election by means of the petitioning process.
(b)?A person who seeks to qualify for election as a write-in candidate.
(c)?A person who receives contributions or makes expenditures, or consents for any other person to receive contributions or make expenditures, with a view to bring about his or her nomination or election to, or retention in, public office.
(d)?A person who appoints a treasurer and designates a primary depository.
(e)?A person who files qualification papers and subscribes to a candidate’s oath as required by law.

This wouldn't just be the traitor Trump or psycho Laura Loomer but literally anyone could get borderline-immunity from social media sanctions if they just put "I'm a write-in candidate" down.

Social media groups like Twitter might have to just group-block Florida IP addresses across the board if something like this were to become law.

[abqtommy]

2. (sing along) Floriduh oh hail to thee, you add to my mis-er-y...

[Scrivener7]

3. Social media companies, in reply, should ban Florida residents.

[rurallib]

15. First thought that crossed my mind - is there a way that Facebook,

Twitter etc could just stop being used inside Florida's borders? Somehow China seems to be able to do it.

Imagine how pissed businesses would be if they could no longer use Google or Facebook?

[Miguelito Loveless]

17. Sure, they can exclude all IP addresses

originating in Florida, and all people who show their address as Florida. Perfect? No. Effective? Yes.

[mitch96]

23. Yup, that would stop THAT legislation in a heartbeat...YMMV..nt

[forgotmylogin]

33. Or just ban politicians altogether. n/t

[Dream Girl]

4. Trump REALLY misses his Twitter! He wants it back. NOW!

[Haggard Celine]

6. He can't wield the power he has left without

some sort of free communication with the public. He's constipated with assholery that he wants to let loose on Twitter and Facebook. I hope he explodes soon.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

30. Why does he need Twitter? The MSM already covers his every utterance. as if he were still president.

They're just as addicted to T***** as they were when he was in office. I'll bet he gets twice as much coverage as Biden, even if it's complaining about how "unfairly" Rudy is being treated. He's not a world leader any more, he's a soon-to-be-indicted con man and crook. Ignore his mindless babbling. Treat him like one.

Does the law specify who gets the money? Is it the state? If so, into which account? Or does the person who is being suspended get the fine? Since the Master of the Big Lie is BFF with DeSantis -- who probably has his eyes on the prize (becoming VP and Fat Boy's successor) he's going to do anything he can to stay in the Orange One's good graces, and that includes draconian voter suppression, protecting his access to free social media and most likely the transfer of Florida taxpayers' money into T*****'s pockets.

[ashredux]

5. Doubt that will ever hold up in Court...

[bullimiami]

8. agree. republican "freedom" on display.

on one hand claim businesses have the right to deny service to those they dont want to serve.
on the other fine them for doing just that.

[patphil]

11. My sentiments exactly.

[ashredux]

13. its more of a PR stunt....

[mpcamb]

32. They can call it a "Right To Lie" law.

No need for even a glimmer of truth in political speech.

[Miguelito Loveless]

18. I can see the Kavanaugh Court upholding it

[Midnight Writer]

31. I used to laugh at these bills, because I was sure the Courts would strike them down.

These days, I am not so dismissive.

Most Federal Judges are now GOP appointees, and they are not chosen for their integrity or their competence.

[Phoenix61]

7. Yet another way to waste tax payers money.

Because you know this will end up in court. Or they could just ignore it. Florida has no means to collect a fine from those companies.

[Botany]

9. I would look forward if this becomes law and these QGOPers try to take it to court to enforce their

.... law and or their fine. 30 second trial Judge Mr. or Ms. X, "Motion denied." Bang gavel strike.

[monkeyman1]

40. floridua republican's has alway's been a waste of of taxpayer's money !

[Karma13612]

10. So politicians are

‘Above the guidelines’ of the social media companies??

Such BS.

And how exactly does Twitter or Facebook allow the politician to post on Twitter in Florida, but somehow keep them suspended or blocked on 49 other states??

I love the laws repukes come up with. I can remember some state telling OB’s that they MUST inform women wanting an abortion that they “can” somehow reimplant the fetus. Some things are not technically possible, but that never stops an ignorant, racist, misogynistic, stubborn, partisan criminal hack politician from trying.

I know there probably IS a way, with IP addresses and such. But, I just think that it is wrong that individual states get more and more isolated with their outlandish laws which further defy logic and restrict rights.

Sorry I’m a little cranky this AM. Our spring was going along nicely here in Northern NY-21 with temps edging up into the 50’s and 60’s.
Only to have a full on 4” of white crap fall yesterday. Yes, the sun is out and it is melting now, but my desire to get out and enjoy the clean air is just so NOT happening. Dammit. Another day of “spring cleaning” is in order!

have a good one all!

[J_William_Ryan]

12. Another example of the right's

contempt for the First Amendment and the Constitution.

More government, bigger government at the expense of individual liberty.

[Roy Rolling]

14. Morons!

If politicians had special protections under the 1st Amendment it must be stated in the text. Political candidates are not a protected class like race, religion, or gender.

Next case!

[Yavin4]

16. Can we sue AM talk radio stations for banning liberals?

The right had no problem when AM talk radio was wall to wall conservative voices with no other point of view.

Actually, I think we can sue.

[Liberty Belle]

19. Bingo, you hit the nail on the head.

Any judge worth his salt (meaning not a Trump appointee) should toss this out of court in a heartbeat. Clearly private companies have rights to boot off anyone they want, and this is so broad that even if a candidate or politician advocated openly for mass murder it would be okay. So if a member of ISIS or Al Qaeda runs for office, can he advocate jihad and recruit killers online? Apparently so under this measure.

[dlk]

20. It would seem private companies can set their own standards and rules of service

I expect this new law will see a challenge in court.

[ancianita]

21. That's state sponsored regulation of tech's terms of service. Those businesses can sue and win.

Not only do these platform companies have more money than many national governments, but they have more rights about content through TOS than do other media.

Nice try, trumpcult Florida, but red states can't push ahead to control social media services without a legal fight.

[William Seger]

25. Title should have been "Florida Men Try to Control the Internet"

[Fiendish Thingy]

22. DeSantis and what army will enforce this law?

Facebook won’t pay a penny in fines, neither will Twitter.

They will take it to SCOTUS.

[ancianita]

26. They'll lose before SCOTUS, same as they would if they tried to change any other business's internal

structure.

[CaptainTruth]

24. This is a violation of the 1st Amendment. Private companies can't be forced...

...by the government to host your speech. 1A also gives private companies the right to restrict their users, that's part of *their* 1A right to free speech.

It will be defeated in court & I think they know that. This is purely performative, a show put on for their base, so they can look like they're fighting the "culture war."

[Jon King]

29. Yup, more worthless performance for the base.

Repugs are truly valueless in society, nothing at all to offer.

[JohnnyRingo]

27. I don't think Florida can dictate national policy on internet content.

If so, Utah would have banned internet pornography years ago. In fact I think they already tried. Could they prevent DU from expelling republican trolls, but only those in Florida?

Florida may as well try to filter the internet of anything they consider offensive or against them politically. That sounds even more absurd as I type it, because what would be the consequence? Could Florida fine Facebook for banning someone the governor likes? No.

[Jon King]

28. So still nothing on health care or infrastructure or climate or educating kids to compete in tech?

Just more Repug unserious garbage that does nothing to help America's real issues.

[The Jungle 1]

34. I thought repukes wanted less regulations on corporations?

Repukes sure are confusing.

[Maraya1969]

35. If that ever happens then liberal hackers should post every detail of these politician's

lives for everyone to harass them since they spend their time harassing Americans.

Like their personal cell phone numbers. I'm sure they can be found.
Obviously their personal addresses, the addresses of all their relatives.

Whatever shit a private investigator can find should be free game if these people are immune from the regulations that the rest of us have to follow. I'd love to have Desantis's phone number just to repeatedly call him so he'd have to change his number. And then do it again with his new number.

Regular people who do stupid things have to suffer with this stuff all the time. And they have to shut their phones off and move or do other things to get away from people who are pissed.

[onetexan]

36. More RW fascism. Good luck w that morons

[Hassin Bin Sober]

37. So the party of freedom and small government is seizing the means of production?

[SwannieK]

38. Simple solution

Ban DeSantis & Florida from the United States! lol

[SWBTATTReg]

39. This is akin to interfering w/ someone's free speech rights...this will NOT fly. NT

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

41. Good luck with that

Clear violation of the commerce clause.

[BlueWavePsych]

42. Agree.

Moreover, DeathSantis should be banned now (as a health hazard)

[Skittles]

43. do I have this right

you can deny a cake to a gay couple, and you can't require masks, but you can be fined for not allowing a customer who consistently flaunts the rules

for DeSantis, humping Trump seems to be his biggest priority

[BlueIdaho]

44. I don't see how they have standing to interfere...

This seems like overreach to me.