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ARTICLE · 04 MARCH 2025

FTC Requests Public Comments On Technology Platform Censorship

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In one of its first actions after establishing new leadership, the United States Federal Trade Commission has issued a request for public comment "to better understand how technology platforms deny or degrade (such as by ‘demonetizing' or ‘shadow banning') users' access to services based on the content of users' speech or their political affiliations, including activities that take place outside the platform."

United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Christopher A. Cole
Christopher A. Cole
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In one of its first actions after establishing new leadership, the United States Federal Trade Commission has issued a request for public comment "to better understand how technology platforms deny or degrade (such as by 'demonetizing' or 'shadow banning') users' access to services based on the content of users' speech or their political affiliations, including activities that take place outside the platform." The request for comment is open now and closes on May 21, 2025.

The request, which expressly inquires about policies of platforms including social media, video sharing, ride sharing, event planning, and other internet services, follows an Executive Order (EO) entitled "Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship." The EO responds to concerns raised about alleged pressure placed by the Biden Administration during COVID and other political events allegedly to coerce popular internet platforms into suppressing content with which they disagreed. In

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