California’s Newsom signs bill requiring social media firms’ transparency

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks throughout his assembly with Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (not pictured) on the California Science Center outdoors the Ninth Summit of the Americas, in Los Angeles, California, U.S. June 9, 2022. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo

Sept 14 (Reuters) – California Governor Gavin Newsom stated on Tuesday he had signed a bill into legislation requiring transparency of social media firms, a transfer that would draw criticism from tech corporations and business teams.

The legislation, AB-587, would require social media firms to publicly publish their insurance policies relating to hate speech, disinformation, harassment and extremism on their platforms, and report knowledge on their enforcement of the insurance policies.

Last 12 months, the governor of Texas signed a bill prohibiting social media corporations from proscribing customers or their posts primarily based on their viewpoint. The Supreme Court in May blocked the legislation, after know-how business teams sued. learn extra

“California will not stand by as social media is weaponized to spread hate and disinformation that threaten our communities and foundational values as a country,” Newsom stated in an announcement.

The newest measure is predicted to convey transparency and accountability to the insurance policies that form social media content material, Newsom added.

Reporting by Maria Ponnezhath in Bengaluru; modifying by Jason Neely

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