United States of America: Introduced Texas House Bill 20 restricting social media content moderation and user blocking
Description
Introduced Texas House Bill 20 restricting social media content moderation and user blocking
On 10 August 2021, House Bill 20 (HB 20) is introduced in the Texas House of Representatives. The Bill limits the ability of social media companies with more than 50 million users to ban users based on their political views. Furthermore, the companies will be required to disclose the guidelines and rules they apply when they remove content from their platforms and put in place a complaint and appeals process for the removed content. The act also requires the review and removal of illegal content within 48 hours. Individuals residing in Texas would be able to sue the companies if they are censored based on political views or the attorney general can bring charges on their behalf.
Original sourceScope
Policy Area
Content moderation
Policy Instrument
User speech right
Regulated Economic Activity
platform intermediary: user-generated content
Implementation Level
subnational
Government Branch
legislature
Government Body
parliament
Complete timeline of this policy change
Hide details
2021-08-10
under deliberation
2021-08-31
under deliberation
2021-09-09
adopted
2021-12-01
under litigation
2022-05-11
in force
2022-05-13
under appeal
2022-05-31
under investigation
2022-09-16
in force
Key regulatory dimensions
Regulated subjects
The businesses, government agencies or individuals affected by this policy or regulatory change.
producer / supplier
1
Type
Private organisation
Economic activity
platform intermediary: user-generated content
Category
All
Policy change by business practice
The detailed activities within the scope of this policy or regulatory change.
user content: any format: hosting (any form)
Regulatory tool
User or public reporting requirement
Content takedown prohibition
Complaint mechanism requirement
Sanctions
Regulated subjects
1