California Governor Vetoes Social Media Speech Bill
Free speech advocates are expressing approval over California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent decision to veto a bill aimed at penalizing social media companies for allowing controversial speech on their platforms.
The state legislature, which is under Democratic control, had approved Senate Bill 771. This legislation sought to empower states to impose fines on platforms for what they deemed offensive or hateful speech. However, many critics argued that it would violate free speech rights.
Newsom commented on the situation, suggesting that the veto was a necessary step. He stated, “I am returning Senate Bill 771 without signature. This bill would hold social media platforms accountable for algorithms that relay content to users that violates certain California civil rights laws.” He acknowledged the intention behind the bill — to ensure civil rights laws apply uniformly in both digital and physical spaces. Still, he expressed concern that the legislation was premature, emphasizing that more clarity was needed regarding existing civil rights laws and their effectiveness in addressing algorithm-related violations.
The Individual Rights Expression Foundation applauded Newsom’s choice, noting, “Today, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 771, a bill that would have had a significant chilling effect on online expression. We are thankful he chose to prioritize free speech rather than lead California into a confrontation against the First Amendment and Section 230.”
Other organizations, like the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, raised alarms that the bill could end up targeting criticism of Israel while silencing minority voices. They remarked, “SB 771 poses as a bill against ‘algorithmic harm,’ but it actually imposes fines on platforms hosting criticism of Israel while allowing real hate speech to flourish unchecked. Who will be silenced? The marginalized voices: Palestinians, black communities, indigenous activists, immigrants, the very people currently under surveillance and oppression online.”
