Sen Klobuchar introduces bill to strip social media of health misinformation protections

Sen Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced a bill that would strip online platforms such as Facebook and Twitter of liability protections if their technology spreads misinformation about coronavirus vaccines or other public-health emergencies. Sen Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) joins Klobuchar as a co-sponsor. The bill, which Klobuchar has previously telegraphed was in the works, would create an exception to the law known as Section 230 that shields internet platforms from lawsuits for content generated by their users and other third parties. The measure is written to apply only to events that are formally declared public-health emergencies by the Health and Human Services (HHS) secretary, and would apply only when internet platforms spread misinformation through programs like algorithms. The bill would designate HHS to determine what constitutes health misinformation and to act after consultation with other federal agencies and outside experts. The law would take effect 30 days after enactment.