In a historic move, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill into law that allows Florida citizens to sue BigTech platforms.
NEW: Florida @GovRonDeSantis just signed into law a bill that would allow Floridians to sue Big Tech Platforms for monetary damages. pic.twitter.com/vNC8kGAKJf
— Bowen Xiao (@BowenXiao_) May 24, 2021
Flanked by advocates for free speech, DeSantis signed the bill that will give state courts to award plaintiffs up to $100,000 in damages for shadowbans, censors, deplatforms users in an inconsistent manner.
Speaking at a press conference DeSantis said, “We will be the first state to hold Big Tech accountable. They are exerting a power that really has no precedent in American history.”
In addition to awarding monetary damages to Florida citizens, the state’s AG can get involved if it is suspected that a company violated Florida’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
DeSantis said, “SB 7072 is a bold first step to reining in Big Tech tyranny by defending the rights of all Floridians in the digital space. Over the years, these platforms have changed from neutral platforms that provide Americans with the freedom to speak to enforcers of preferred narratives.”
The Governor went on to say, “Florida is the first state to hold Big Tech accountable by empowering each and every Floridian silenced by arbitrary corporate censorship to fight back. This is a groundbreaking bill that protects Floridians from Silicon Valley’s power grab.”
