Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association offered comments in opposition to Tennessee’s HB 682, which would attempt to force private online
businesses to publish dangerous or otherwise objectionable content. CCIA raised concerns regarding constitutionality, economic implications of lack of regulatory certainty, and impeding online businesses in their efforts to restrict inappropriate or harmful content on their services.
CCIA emphasized that digital services invest significant resources into developing and carrying out content moderation practices that protect users from harmful or offensive content, and noted that under these proposed measures, digital services serving Tennesseeans would not have the flexibility to address new challenges they may face.
CCIA has advocated for First Amendment rights online for more than 25 years, including the constitutional rights a private business has from the government requiring must-carry material.
The following may be attributed to CCIA State Policy Director Khara Boender:
“Along with prohibiting illegal content, many digital services implement mechanisms to monitor and remove content that may pose risks to their users, such as misinformation, hate speech, and harassment. Similar laws established in Texas and Florida are now facing legal challenges due to questions surrounding constitutionality. Tennessee should not follow in their footsteps.”