FTC Opens Probe Into Big Tech’s Censorship of American Voices

Clear Facts

• The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is requesting public comments on censorship by Big Tech companies, which may lead to formal investigations or policy changes.
• The FTC is concerned about Big Tech’s use of “opaque or unpredictable” policies that could suppress political speech without proper notice or explanation.
• States attorneys general have previously sued the Biden administration for allegedly colluding with social media companies to censor political opinions.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is taking a significant step in addressing concerns about censorship by major technology companies. The agency has initiated a request for public comments on instances where individuals have faced repercussions from these companies for expressing political views that may not align with their policies.

This move by the FTC, led by Chairman Andrew Ferguson, suggests that the agency is preparing for potential investigations or policy adjustments. A senior FTC official emphasized the agency’s commitment to tackling these issues, stating, “In case there was any doubt, Big Tech is on notice. We do not intend to take our foot off the gas any time soon. The days of censorship and monopolies are over.”

The FTC is seeking input from the public on whether they have experienced suspensions, bans, shadow bans, or degraded services from technology platforms after sharing their opinions. Additionally, the agency is interested in hearing from employees of tech firms who have witnessed censorship practices firsthand.

The draft document highlights concerns that Big Tech companies might be using “opaque or unpredictable” internal policies to censor speech without providing users with adequate notice or explanations. This lack of transparency and the absence of meaningful opportunities to appeal content moderation decisions are troubling aspects that the FTC is keen to address.

Such practices could potentially be deemed illegal anti-competitive behavior. The FTC is also investigating whether Big Tech companies have been influenced by pressure from local, state, or federal governments to censor content.

In a related legal battle, attorneys general from Missouri and Louisiana filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration in 2022. They accused the federal government of colluding with social media companies to suppress political opinions, particularly those critical of the administration and public health policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has previously recounted instances of Biden officials pressuring Meta employees to censor content. During an interview, Zuckerberg shared, “I mean, Biden, when he was — he gave some statement at some point, I don’t know if it was a press conference or to some journalist, where he basically was like, ‘These guys are killing people.’”

The FTC’s draft document also addresses concerns about foreign government influence on Big Tech, citing Germany’s law that imposes hefty fines on companies that fail to remove content deemed illegal in the country.

With new leadership and a focus on scrutinizing Big Tech, the FTC is making it clear that it will not tolerate anti-competitive or illegal behavior. A commission source confirmed, “Big Tech and anyone else who seeks to engage in anticompetitive or illegal behavior have been put on notice.”

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