In a controversial move, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and several Democrat lawmakers have called on Big Tech companies to increase censorship efforts ahead of the 2024 election. In a letter sent to tech giants like Meta, Google and X, Schiff and seven others expressed disappointment that many platforms have reduced their censorship teams, which they referred to as “trust and safety” divisions.
The letter demanded that these platforms go beyond election season, urging companies to monitor and censor “misinformation” year-round. The lawmakers pointed to the reinstatement of former President Donald Trump on these platforms and the rollback of bans on discussions about election fraud as problematic.
This call for ongoing censorship, particularly of political content, has raised alarms about free speech. Schiff and his fellow Democrats appear to be pushing for a level of control over online content that many believe directly contradicts the First Amendment.
Additionally, the letter included questions that suggested Big Tech should coordinate its censorship efforts with Congress, drawing further concerns about the role government might play in regulating online speech. This push comes just weeks before the election, a time when political speech is critical.
