The Free Speech Protection Act would bar federal employees, including contractors and the President and Vice President, from directing or encouraging online platforms or media organizations to restrict speech protected by the Constitution. It would also limit agencies from seeking certain user information, monitoring platform content through partnerships, or arranging free advertising on platforms. The bill would set penalties for violations, allow affected people to sue, and require agencies to report communications with platform representatives. It would end the Department of Homeland Security’s Disinformation Governance Board if it still exists, restrict related federal grants, and change parts of federal communications law. The bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to a committee; it has not been enacted.
If enacted, people whose accounts, content, speech, or information were affected by a violation could sue the agency and employee involved. The bill would also require public reports about certain agency communications with platform representatives. It includes exceptions for some communications made under a court-issued warrant and for communications about specified crimes.
No publicly available information.
The bill’s findings say that free speech is a fundamental right and state that federal officials have sought to influence platforms’ handling of legal speech. The bill’s stated purpose is to restrict that kind of federal involvement.
No publicly available information.