Washington, DC — On Friday, the unlikely duo of Representative Tulsi Gabbard and Representative Paul Gosar introduced a bill aimed at social media platforms which is likely to be quite popular. The Don’t Push My Buttons Act allows users to choose, or decline, custom content curation based on collected personal data, empowering users to protect themselves from unwanted manipulation online.
Anti-social media companies treat us like products, exploiting & dehumanizing us for profit, without regard for consequences. Our bipartisan bill returns power to the people, letting us decide whether to be subject to companies’ manipulative algorithms. https://t.co/mPL7W6ZCN1
— Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (@TulsiPress) October 5, 2020
The bill, H.R.8515, would reform Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act generally provides liability immunity for online companies that publish information provided by third-party users. The regulation creates a “Good Samaritan” liability protection for those running interactive computer services should they remove third-party materials deemed obscene or objectionable so long as it is done in good faith. The 1996 law sought to correct a New York State Supreme Court decision that held that an online bulletin board could be considered liable for the ostensibly defamatory posts of its users because it moderated posts and therefore acted analogously to a newspaper.
“Anti-social media companies treat us like products, exploiting and dehumanizing us for their own profits, without regard for the consequences. They intentionally create and fuel conflict and hate, causing physical, spiritual and mental suffering and pain. They are tearing us apart and destroying our nation,” said Gabbard in a press release. “Our legislation takes the power out of the hands of anti-social media corporations and puts it into the hands of the people who use their platforms. We, the people, get to decide whether to subject ourselves to their manipulative algorithms. Their failure to comply lifts all legal immunity they currently enjoy so we can hold them accountable and liable for the devastation and suffering they leave in their wake.”
Gosar, who is a favorite on Twitter for his dry humor, finds no humor in the attitude of some tech companies who “are making users the product.”
Here is a picture of a mere “idea” engaging in mayhem. No people were involved and certainly no organized effort. https://t.co/BHRyzosJaJ pic.twitter.com/0bGew41q4X
— Paul Gosar (@DrPaulGosar) September 30, 2020
“Google and others are collecting user data and manipulating users, often unwittingly,” explained Gosar. “Some may find content curation options convenient, but many users are creeped out and manipulated by data collection and content curation regarding personal habits, preferences, or beliefs. The Don’t Push My Buttons Act empowers users to choose, or decline, custom content curation based on collected personal data, empowering users to protect themselves from unwanted manipulation online.”