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21st Century FREE Speech Act

USA117th CongressS-1384| Senate 
| Updated: 4/27/2021
Bill Hagerty

Bill Hagerty

Republican Senator

Tennessee

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
21st Century Foundation for the Right to Express and Engage in Speech Act or the 21st Century FREE Speech Act This bill makes various changes to liability protections and requirements for providers and users of an interactive computer service (e.g., a social media company). The bill replaces existing liability protections (sometimes referred to as Section 230 protection) related to content provided by third parties with more limited protections. The bill provides some liability protection for third-party content, but the protection shall not apply to a provider or user who carries out certain affirmative acts, such as barring users from the service or restricting access to or availability of material. However, the protection shall apply if the action is taken in good faith to restrict access to or availability of obscene, unlawful, or other similarly objectionable material. Additionally, the bill places specific requirements on common carrier technology companies, defined in the bill as providers that offer services to the public and have over 100 million active monthly users. These companies must furnish their services to all persons upon request and in a manner that does not discriminate against or unfairly advantage any particular persons, class of persons, political or religious groups, or localities; and publicly disclose their practices for moderating content, terminating accounts, and related matters. Aggrieved individuals and state entities may sue to enforce these requirements, and the Federal Communications Commission must develop best practices for complying with the requirements. The bill's provisions do not apply to designated areas of law, including criminal law and state law.
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Timeline
Apr 27, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Apr 27, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Apr 29, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-7613
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
  • April 27, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 27, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • April 29, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-7613
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 117-7613: 21st Century FREE Speech Act
Assault and harassment offensesCivil actions and liabilityConsumer affairsFirst Amendment rightsFraud offenses and financial crimesInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaPornographyTerrorism

21st Century FREE Speech Act

USA117th CongressS-1384| Senate 
| Updated: 4/27/2021
21st Century Foundation for the Right to Express and Engage in Speech Act or the 21st Century FREE Speech Act This bill makes various changes to liability protections and requirements for providers and users of an interactive computer service (e.g., a social media company). The bill replaces existing liability protections (sometimes referred to as Section 230 protection) related to content provided by third parties with more limited protections. The bill provides some liability protection for third-party content, but the protection shall not apply to a provider or user who carries out certain affirmative acts, such as barring users from the service or restricting access to or availability of material. However, the protection shall apply if the action is taken in good faith to restrict access to or availability of obscene, unlawful, or other similarly objectionable material. Additionally, the bill places specific requirements on common carrier technology companies, defined in the bill as providers that offer services to the public and have over 100 million active monthly users. These companies must furnish their services to all persons upon request and in a manner that does not discriminate against or unfairly advantage any particular persons, class of persons, political or religious groups, or localities; and publicly disclose their practices for moderating content, terminating accounts, and related matters. Aggrieved individuals and state entities may sue to enforce these requirements, and the Federal Communications Commission must develop best practices for complying with the requirements. The bill's provisions do not apply to designated areas of law, including criminal law and state law.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Apr 27, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Apr 27, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Apr 29, 2022

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 117-7613
Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
  • April 27, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 27, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • April 29, 2022

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 117-7613
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Bill Hagerty

Bill Hagerty

Republican Senator

Tennessee

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 117-7613: 21st Century FREE Speech Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Assault and harassment offensesCivil actions and liabilityConsumer affairsFirst Amendment rightsFraud offenses and financial crimesInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaPornographyTerrorism