New York State Lawmakers backing a Bill meant to curb Online Hate, rebuffed a Meeting with Lobbyists for X, and instead blasted the Company’s controversial Owner Elon Musk.
A Letter from State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-4th District) and Assemblymember Grace Lee (D-65th District) to X’s Lobbyist Rejected the Firm’s efforts to shape the Legislation, highlighting Musk’s difficulty in making Inroads with Democrats, including those with the Power to Regulate Social Media.
“Their business model relies on spreading misinformation,” Hoylman-Sigal said: “They come to the table to only potentially weaken New York’s oversight of platforms that provide hate speech.”
Hostility from Democrats is a Problem Musk is running into on both sides of the Country. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a Measure Banning so-called “Deepfakes” after Rebuking the X Impresario for spreading a Doctored Video of Vice President Kamala Harris (D).
The New York Proposal would require Social Media Platforms to Submit their Terms-of-Service to the State Attorney General’s Office and Outline how they define Racism, Hate Speech, Extremism, Harassment, and Foreign Political Interference.
The Bill, which cleared the Legislature in June, is set to head to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s (D( desk. Her Office hasn’t said whether she will Sign it, but She has shown eagerness to Regulate Tech Platforms.
Hoylman-Sigal’s Office said it did Not ask what Changes X is seeking for the Bill, known as the "Stop Hiding Hate Act". The Company also Declined to provide those Details. In a Statement released through Lobbyist Katrell Lewis, X said it Supports the “desire to increase transparency among social media platforms.”
“X believes there are necessary amendments to ensure the Stop Hiding Hate Act actually captures the transparency the Legislature seeks to achieve while also complying with the First Amendment,” the Statement said. “As the 9th Circuit recently affirmed, a content neutral approach is a necessary prerequisite for such reporting requirements. X looks forward to continuing to engage with members of the New York legislature and the Administration on this and other important issues.”
Social Media Platforms Individually do Not yet spend more than $1 million in Lobbying Albany in a single year. But that could Change as State Officials have taken a far more Active interest in Regulating their Businesses.
Lawmakers and Hochul this year, Agreed to New Laws placing New Regulations on how Social Media Companies engage Child Users and Harvest Personal Data.
Controversies around Musk don’t help X’s Case. Not long ago, Musk was heralded by the Left. His Investments in Renewable Energy and the Electric Vehicle company Tesla earned Him Plaudits from the Left, as well as Controversial Tax breaks from deep blue New York state.
Musk’s purchase of the Site formerly known as Twitter, has coincided with His Rise on the Right. He has endorsed Trump, and He has spread Unfounded claims. Musk has also taken an expansive View of Free Speech on the Site, which He envisions as a Global Town square.
New York Legislators argue their efforts are Not about Curbing Free Speech, but fostering a Safer Environment for Vulnerable Communities.
“We’re passing these bills to help the public,” Lee said. “I’m not interested in making changes to help the social media companies. They’ve gone unchecked for too long.”
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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