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A bill to hold accountable operators of social media platforms that intentionally or knowingly host false election administration information.
8/2/2024, 10:56 AM
Summary of Bill S 4977
If passed, this legislation would hold these operators accountable for their role in spreading misinformation that could potentially impact the integrity of elections. The bill seeks to ensure that social media platforms take responsibility for the content that is shared on their platforms, especially when it comes to information that could influence the democratic process.
By targeting operators of social media platforms, the Accountability for Social Media Platforms Act aims to prevent the spread of false election administration information and protect the integrity of the electoral process. This bill highlights the growing concern over the role that social media plays in shaping public opinion and the need for greater accountability in this space.
Congressional Summary of S 4977
Digital Integrity in Democracy Act
This bill requires large social media platforms to promptly remove from their sites false information about election logistics and voter eligibility.
Specifically, platforms notified of potential false election information must investigate the veracity of the flagged information and, if it is false, remove it. Covered information includes false information about the time and place of, or voter eligibility for, an election. Platforms must generally remove false information within 48 hours of receipt of notification of its existence. If notification is received on the day of an election, including during an early or absentee voting period, the information must be removed within 24 hours.
The Department of Justice may bring a civil suit against a social media platform that violates the timely removal requirement. States may bring suit against a platform if the false information at issue related to an election in the state, and candidates may bring suit against a platform if the candidate was aggrieved by the false information. Such suits may seek money damages and injunctive relief.
The bill also specifies that Section 230 protection does not apply to false election information that is knowingly hosted on a social media platform. (Section 230 generally precludes providers and users of an interactive computer service from being held legally responsible under federal law for content provided by a third party.) However, platforms that comply with the timely removal requirements with respect to false election information retain Section 230 protection.
