Hi John,
From Facebook to Apple, big tech companies have taken action in the wake of the attack on the U.S. Capitol, banning people -- Trump included -- and content that helped incite and organize a violent mob that left 6 people dead and dozens injured.
But those measures came too late for some, who first sounded the alarm about misinformation and extremist content on the internet months, even years, ago.
“If democracy is a river, or a forest, or a pristine meadow, then social media platforms are a factory spewing toxic pollutants into it” wrote Whitney Phillips, an expert on the rise of the far right online.
“Even if you block the new effluent, the pollution that has already escaped won't just go away. It needs to be cleaned up. The real thing we have to deal with long term is how these platforms didn't just allow, but actively incentivized it.”
After the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Section 230, the law that gives internet platforms immunity from what their users post on them, has come under fire by legislators who believe those platforms cause harm.
There is so much at stake when disinformation is amplified on social media. That's why today, we're reaching out to Democrats like you to hear where you stand on regulating Big Tech. Please, tell us what you think now:
Do you want Big Tech regulated?
Thank you for participating in our survey and sharing your thoughts with us on this crucial matter
-A Woman's Place
