SB228 sponsor Sen. Michael McKell, R-Spanish Fork, describes his proposal as a “free speech bill” that would help hold operators of social media platforms responsible, and legally liable, for unfairly applying moderation rules stipulated in the terms of use agreements. These are the contracts that, though rarely read, are required of all users of free social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and others.
The bill chews at the edges of issues that have riled some federal lawmakers, including Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee, that include allegations that social media companies are in the habit of unfairly suppressing or censoring conservative political content.