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Protect Speech Act

USA116th CongressHR-8517| House 
| Updated: 10/2/2020
Jim Jordan

Jim Jordan

Republican Representative

Ohio

Cosponsors (18)
F. James Sensenbrenner (Republican)Mike Johnson (Republican)Guy Reschenthaler (Republican)Jim Hagedorn (Republican)Thomas P. Tiffany (Republican)Ken Buck (Republican)Tom McClintock (Republican)Andy Biggs (Republican)Doug Collins (Republican)W. Gregory Steube (Republican)John H. Rutherford (Republican)Debbie Lesko (Republican)John W. Rose (Republican)Kevin Hern (Republican)Bill Posey (Republican)Ben Cline (Republican)Louie Gohmert (Republican)Vern Buchanan (Republican)

Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Protect Speech Act This bill modifies the immunity from liability of a provider or user of an interactive computer service (e.g., a social media company) for screening and blocking offensive content on its platform. Specifically, the bill provides that this immunity shall not apply to any action taken to restrict access to or availability of material provided by another information content provider unless the action is taken in good faith based on an objectively reasonable belief that the material is (1) obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, promoting terrorism or violent extremism, harassing, promoting self-harm, or unlawful; or (2) violates the applicable terms of service or use. In order to avoid liability for taking action based on either belief, certain good faith requirements must be met, such as (1) making publicly available terms of service or use that plainly state the criteria for content moderation practices, and (2) not restricting access to or availability of material on deceptive grounds. Further, the bill specifies that being responsible in whole or in part for the creation or development of information includes instances in which a person or entity solicits, comments upon, funds, or affirmatively and substantively contributes to, modifies, or alters information provided by another person or entity.
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Timeline
Oct 2, 2020
Introduced in House
Oct 2, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • October 2, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • October 2, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Science, Technology, Communications

Civil actions and liabilityConsumer affairsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaLaw enforcement administration and fundingTerrorism

Protect Speech Act

USA116th CongressHR-8517| House 
| Updated: 10/2/2020
Protect Speech Act This bill modifies the immunity from liability of a provider or user of an interactive computer service (e.g., a social media company) for screening and blocking offensive content on its platform. Specifically, the bill provides that this immunity shall not apply to any action taken to restrict access to or availability of material provided by another information content provider unless the action is taken in good faith based on an objectively reasonable belief that the material is (1) obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, promoting terrorism or violent extremism, harassing, promoting self-harm, or unlawful; or (2) violates the applicable terms of service or use. In order to avoid liability for taking action based on either belief, certain good faith requirements must be met, such as (1) making publicly available terms of service or use that plainly state the criteria for content moderation practices, and (2) not restricting access to or availability of material on deceptive grounds. Further, the bill specifies that being responsible in whole or in part for the creation or development of information includes instances in which a person or entity solicits, comments upon, funds, or affirmatively and substantively contributes to, modifies, or alters information provided by another person or entity.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Oct 2, 2020
Introduced in House
Oct 2, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • October 2, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • October 2, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jim Jordan

Jim Jordan

Republican Representative

Ohio

Cosponsors (18)
F. James Sensenbrenner (Republican)Mike Johnson (Republican)Guy Reschenthaler (Republican)Jim Hagedorn (Republican)Thomas P. Tiffany (Republican)Ken Buck (Republican)Tom McClintock (Republican)Andy Biggs (Republican)Doug Collins (Republican)W. Gregory Steube (Republican)John H. Rutherford (Republican)Debbie Lesko (Republican)John W. Rose (Republican)Kevin Hern (Republican)Bill Posey (Republican)Ben Cline (Republican)Louie Gohmert (Republican)Vern Buchanan (Republican)

Energy and Commerce Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Civil actions and liabilityConsumer affairsInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaLaw enforcement administration and fundingTerrorism