CARR APPLAUDS SENATOR WICKER’S PRO-SPEECH ACT
New Bill Would Apply Antidiscrimination Rules to Big Tech and Promote More Speech 

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2021—Today, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr applauded legislation introduced by Senator Roger Wicker, Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce Committee, that would apply antidiscrimination rules to Big Tech, promote a diversity of views, and prohibit unfair methods of competition.

“While Section 230 reform remains necessary, it is not sufficient standing alone to address Big Tech’s discriminatory conduct.  Section 230 reform must be paired with a broader effort to apply antidiscrimination requirements to large Internet platforms.  Senator Wicker’s legislation would take this important next step in the ongoing efforts to hold Big Tech accountable.

“I applaud Senator Wicker for his bold leadership and thoughtful legislation.  His bill would give Big Tech a simple choice: either stop blocking people from posting and accessing lawful content or declare that you are acting as a publisher and accept the responsibilities that come with that status.  In no event, however, should an Internet platform take actions against a user based on racial, sexual, religious, political affiliation, or ethnic grounds, as Senator Wicker’s legislation would prohibit.  These are core antidiscrimination obligations that state and federal laws have long applied to a range of businesses.  

“Senator Wicker’s bill would also bring much needed transparency to Big Tech’s practices and rein in their anticompetitive conduct.  This is an important piece of legislation, and I urge policymakers at the federal and state levels to consider the approach that Senator Wicker has laid out.”

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Office of Commissioner Brendan Carr
www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/brendan-carr
Media Contact:  Greg Watson
(202) 418-0658 or greg.watson@fcc.gov