War Against Twitter, Donald Trump Makes Social Media No Longer Immune To The Law

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - The President of the United States (US) Donald Trump does not seem to mess with his threats on Twitter. Trump has reportedly signed an executive order aimed at narrowing the protection of content on social media.

Preached by CNN, Friday, May 29, Trump said the step was taken to defend free speech, from one of the most dire dangers that have been faced in American history.

It started with Twitter tagging a fact-checking feature on two of Trump's tweets, including one claiming, without evidence, that the ballot would lead to widespread voter fraud. Trump retaliated immediately, accusing Twitter of censorship.

He also warned that if he continued to tag his tweets, he would use federal government power to control it or even shut down the micro blogging service.

However, US critics argue that the event is a diversionary issue as the country passes the 101,000 death toll from COVID-19. The Trump administration is considered incapable of dealing with this pandemic crisis.

"Right now, social media giants like Twitter are receiving an unprecedented survival shield based on the theory that they are not platform neutral. We are disgusted by that. It is unfair, and it is grossly unfair," Trump said.

Previously, under the provisions of Section 230 of the Open Communications Act, today's technology companies have broad immunity from civil lawsuits arising from what is uploaded by users because they are considered a "platform" not a "publisher."

However, Trump has finally drafted new rules that will limit that immunity. It is likely that Twitter will also face legal challenges.

“They have the uncontrolled power to censor, restrict, edit, shape, conceal, alter almost any form of communication between citizens or large public hearings. "There is no precedent in American history for a small number of corporations to control such a large space for human interaction," Trump added.

In response to this, Twitter said that this executive order from Trump was, "A reactionary and politicized approach to the law of landmarks. Section 230 protects American innovation and freedom of expression, and is supported by democratic values. Attempts to unilaterally undermine the future of free speech. and the internet. "

Many from the business and technology sector argue that the order could curb free speech on the internet and that it goes against existing laws, and can only be changed by Congress, not the president.

For example, a spokesperson for Google, Riva Sciuto, thought that Trump's steps could harm the American economic sector.

"Our platform has empowered a wide variety of people and organizations from across the political spectrum, giving them new voices and ways to reach their audiences. Undermining Section 230 in this way would hurt the American economy and its global leadership on internet freedom," said Sciuto.