Friend,

Social media and tech platforms are vectors for extremism, racism, misogyny, lies and violence.

Self-regulation has not worked. It’s past time for policymakers in Washington to confront the hate-and-lie-for-profit business model of tech platforms. Tell Congress to stop allowing companies like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to operate unchecked.

Online hate speech has translated to real-world violence everywhere from El Paso, Texas, to Christchurch, New Zealand, and the halls of the U.S. Capitol. Disinformation about the global pandemic and public-health issues has spread unabated. Both foreign governments and domestic operatives have used voter-suppression tactics to stop people of color from voting. Bad actors have used the platforms to incite genocide in Myanmar, glorify paramilitary murders in the Philippines and sow distrust between communities everywhere.

This must stop before more harm is done. Tell your members of Congress to upend Big Tech’s hate-for-profit business model.

Complex problems require complex solutions. That’s why we’ve come up with a strategic set of solutions to meet the multifaceted challenges before us. Here’s our plan:

• Call on Congress to adopt comprehensive privacy legislation.
• Pass legislation to tax social-media companies for polluting the information ecosystem and directing those funds to support local journalism.
• Regulate data collection and algorithmic decision-making and take action when tech companies violate their users’ civil rights.
• Stop tech giants’ never-ending acquisition of new companies.

All of this is possible if Congress and the Biden administration take action. Tell your lawmakers it’s time for them to protect their constituents and rein in Big Tech.

Thanks for all you do,

Candace and the rest of the Free Press Action team
freepress.net

P.S. Tech companies like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have failed to rein in hate and disinformation on their platforms. Urge your lawmakers to take action before more lives are endangered.