May 24, 2021 - Technology

Scoop: E&C leader talks tech reform with Facebook, Google, Twitter

Margaret Harding McGill

Illustration of a computer with arrows shot into it as if it's a target. — Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

The leader of a key House committee discussed legislative proposals on reining in Big Tech content moderation practices with Facebook, Google, Twitter and others Monday, Axios has learned.

Why it matters: Lawmakers are working toward making good on their promise to pass new laws to curb tech's power.

What happened: House Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and other Democrats on the committee met with the companies, civil rights and public interest groups to discuss tech legislation with a focus on protecting marginalized communities, a Democratic aide told Axios.

One of the proposals up for discussion was a bill from Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.) called the Civil Rights Modernization Act, which would amend online liability shield Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act so that civil rights laws apply to targeted advertising.

Add Axios on Google

Scoop: E&C leader talks tech reform with Facebook, Google, Twitter

What to read next