Gov. Abbott Moves To End Big Tech Viewpoint Censorship: ‘Un-American’ And ‘Soon To Be Illegal’ In Texas
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Thursday that he’s following the move of some Republican politicians in seeking to outlaw censorship on social media.
The Republican governor took a swipe at big tech companies for their “un-American” way of discriminating conservative viewpoints on their platforms and vowed to end it in Texas.
“I am joining [state Sen. Bryan Hughes] to announce a bill prohibiting social media companies from censoring viewpoints,” Governor Abbott said late Thursday via Twitter.
“Too many social media sites silence conservative speech and ideas and trample free speech,” he asserted. “It’s un-American, Un-Texan, & soon to be illegal.”
I am joining @SenBryanHughes to announce a bill prohibiting social media companies from censoring viewpoints.
Too many social media sites silence conservative speech and ideas and trample free speech.
It's un-American, Un-Texan, & soon to be illegal.https://t.co/zSdirRa1pj
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 5, 2021
The Republican governor was slated to appear Friday with state Senator Bryan Hughes to discuss the proposal in detail in a press conference.
Texas Senate Bill 12 (SB12) seeks to “help prohibit social media companies from censoring Texans based on the viewpoints they express.”
DeSantis also seeks to end big tech censorship in Florida
Governor Abbott’s announcement came as another GOP governor, Ron DeSantis, also pursues efforts to put a stop on social media and big tech firms silencing the free speech of conservatives in his state.
“Today we take another important step to hold Big Tech accountable and shift the balance of power back to consumers with the introduction of legislation to increase data privacy and security in Florida,” DeSantis said on Twitter.
Today we take another important step to hold Big Tech accountable and shift the balance of power back to consumers with the introduction of legislation to increase data privacy and security in FL. I thank Speaker @ChrisSprowls and look forward to working with him on this effort. pic.twitter.com/917i5ckWuR
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) February 15, 2021
He said Florida is looking to protect its residents’ data privacy, open up a channel of lawsuits for the big tech from Floridians who’ve been censored over their viewpoint and impose daily fines to tech companies that would deplatform political candidates over their ideas.
Earlier this year, the Republican governor along with other Florida lawmakers announced a proposal to penalize big tech firms — Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google and Twitter — which they accused of targeting the free speech of conservatives after various social media platforms earlier permanently banned former president Donald Trump over the Capitol Hill siege on January 6.
“We’ve seen the power of their censorship over individuals and organizations, including what I believe is clear viewpoint discrimination,” DeSantis told Tampa Bay Times.
“Under our proposal, if a technology company de-platforms a candidate for elected office in Florida during the election, a company will face a daily fine of $100,000 until the candidate’s access to the platform is restored again.”
“Floridians should not have to give up their most intimate information to use a mobile device, surf the internet, or connect with friends and family on social media. The status quo has been a one-way street with Big Tech, and we can’t let it go on any longer,” the Republican governor added.
Back in January, Governor DeSantis said his top legislative goal “to get right” in 2021 is to prevent the censorship of conservative views online.
“We need to really think deeply about if we are a disfavored class based on our principles, based on having conservative views, based on being a Christian, based on whatever you can say that is not favored in Silicon Valley,” DeSantis said.
“I think it’s probably the most important legislative issue that we’re going to have to get right this year and next year,” he added.
Meanwhile, Governor Abbott also earlier announced that he is ending the statewide mask mandate and allowing all business of any type to be opened 100% starting March 10.
