FCC Plans to End Big Tech's 'Censorship Cartel'
Brendan Carr, recently appointed as the incoming Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by President-elect Donald Trump, has pledged to dismantle what he terms Big Tech's "censorship cartel." Carr, who has served as an FCC commissioner since 2017, is known for his strong stance against perceived censorship by major technology companies.
In a series of letters dated November 13, Carr addressed CEOs of leading tech firms, including Google's Sundar Pichai, Microsoft's Satya Nadella, Meta's Mark Zuckerberg, and Apple's Tim Cook. He demanded information about their companies' interactions with NewsGuard, a firm that evaluates the credibility of news sources and has faced criticism for alleged bias against conservative outlets. Carr's inquiry seeks to determine whether these companies mandate the use of NewsGuard's services and how such practices might affect their Section 230 protections, which shield platforms from liability for user-generated content.
This move aligns with Carr's broader agenda to challenge and reform regulations that he believes infringe upon free speech rights. His appointment as FCC Chairman signals a potential shift in the agency's approach toward Big Tech, emphasizing increased scrutiny over content moderation practices and partnerships that may influence information dissemination.
Carr's actions coincide with ongoing investigations by the House Oversight Committee into NewsGuard's operations and its impact on media outlets. The outcomes of these inquiries could have significant implications for the future of content regulation and the balance between combating misinformation and protecting free expression in the digital age.
