The legislature of Florida and Governor Ron DeSantis waste no time in confronting the fast pace of leftist ideology with legislative and executive order moves to protect citizens within the Sunshine state. The speed of their united effort is actually quite remarkable. Today Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 7072, a Florida law permitting citizens to sue Big Tech for deplatforming, targeting or censorship.
Under SB 7072:
- All Floridians treated unfairly by Big Tech platforms will have the right to sue companies that violate this law — and win monetary damages. This reform safeguards the rights of every Floridian by requiring social media companies to be transparent about their content moderation practices and give users proper notice of changes to those policies, which prevents Big Tech bureaucrats from “moving the goalposts” to silence viewpoints they don’t like.
- The Attorney General of Florida can bring action against technology companies that violate this law, under Florida’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act. If social media platforms are found to have violated antitrust law, they will be restricted from contracting with any public entity. That “antitrust violator” blacklist imposes real consequences for Big Tech oligopolies’ bottom line.
- Big Tech is prohibited from de-platforming Floridian political candidates. The Florida Election Commission will impose fines of $250,000 per day on any social media company that de-platforms any candidate for statewide office, and $25,000 per day for de-platforming candidates for non-statewide offices. Any Floridian can block any candidate they don’t want to hear from, and that is a right that belongs to each citizen — it’s not for Big Tech companies to decide. (read full text here)
“This session, we took action to ensure that ‘We the People’ — real Floridians across the Sunshine State — are guaranteed protection against the Silicon Valley elites,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Many in our state have experienced censorship and other tyrannical behavior firsthand in Cuba and Venezuela. If Big Tech censors enforce rules inconsistently, to discriminate in favor of the dominant Silicon Valley ideology, they will now be held accountable.” (LINK)
Love this guy!! Why the hell didn’t Trump do this kind of stuff?
… because he was never a state officer, only a federal one.
Under the principle of “Federalism,” as originally wisely-envisioned by Our Founders, both his Federal office and therefore his powers were always intended to be limited by The States, and therefore by The People™ thereof.
Thanks, Mike.
Wish more Americans understood the Power of the People and States.
Trump set a *tone*. It was up to the Governors and the people of the States to ACT on it.
And , the good news is >>>> It’s finally happening!!!
You can see it all across this country from School Board Meetings to Governors offices.
Thanks Mike. It bothers me how many on “our” side routinely make comments and suggestions that would circumvent our Republic, Constitution, and Bill of Rights.
I guess civics hasn’t been taught for a lot longer than we realize.
YES YES YES!
Thank you Mike.
Alex Newman has been on Mike Lindell’s Frank Speech (lindell.tv) talking about our rights as citizens and how we take control back. The Federal government has limited power and only those the States give to it. Very educational and informative.
https://lindelltv.com/
1. District Judges would have over ruled him.
2. He lost the House because he was hounded by Deep State CIA, FBI, so he didn’t have their backing for such a law.
Because he is President of the United States not dictator of the United States. Governor DeSantis has the power to do it and the State’s legislature is behind him. Governor DeSantis did not impose a diktat, he signed a law passed by the representatives of the citizens of Florida.
Try getting clueless, gutless, spineless, shameless repugnicans in DC to introduce let alone vote for and pass a law like this.
Cheap shot from WTF above.
Actually I don’t think it was a “cheap shot”, so much as a remark made from real lack of understanding of how the federal government was designed to work by the founders in the Constitution.
CTH comments have been sprinkled with posts that have questioned, criticized, and expressed frustration with President Trump for not enacting laws, for appointing traitorous officials, and for generally failing to accomplish many things by himself.
The comment above about civics not being taught is probably true for most schools, but the internet is always ready to provide information for those who take time to use the several available search engines.
He and De Santis meet frequently. Exactly what proof do you have Trump didn’t?
The most famous person who can use this now is Trump and there’s no reason to think they didn’t both consider that at the old Mara Lago shindig they had a bit back.
Or if it was solely De Santis’ idea, one of the great things about Trump is he’s always been great at hearing out and supporting great ideas so I’m sure either way they are on the same page.
I love it. It’s using your office for good, not evil. You’ll notice that this is simply fair law that any person can use. Unlike the Left who amorally write discrimination and evil into laws or sneak attacks behind the scenes.
It undoes discrimination and targeting, rather than creating it like the Left.
Beautiful.
I think he did – didn’t Trump demand that the last defense authorization act repeal section 230 and then he vetoed it because it didn’t …our great Republican Senators and Reps then voted to override his veto –
I’m guessing that as a former Navy JAG officer, the idea of suing those who mean you harm is a no brainer. De Santis knows that in any future election he will be attacked and de-platformed. But I guarantee you DJT was right there to encourage him and maybe even show him the way. God Bless a Florida.
You first had to have congress on your side, that actually gave a rip about Americans.
Ummmmm…. maybe because Congress never passed such a bill that he COULD sign into law?
Finally, someone fires a returning salvo.
And he’s not on an island, he has the support of the legislature.
Praying the law is retroactive – Jack and Mark could use some fire under their arses to do the “right” thing.
Gotta love that 10th Amendment.
DeSantis is a MAGA tsunami.
Yes, for once that I can remember, a Governor and Legislature use it like it should have for decades.
Never lived in a State before that had a good Gov. *and* good reps, working in tandem.
Who knew it was even *possible* before this?
People across the country need to start demanding it from their State reps. and Govs., now that we know how quickly massively entrenched problems can be solved.
It could even be possible that DeSantis’s leadership resulted in the representatives showing up and doing their jobs. Imagine an executive on the right who could actually get a batch of legislators to move on conservative issues… Whooooeeee.
Jack, Zuck and that Google dude can spend all their profit on lawyers and court costs…
And James O’Keefe is standing behind Ron De Santis…evidently Project Veritas is going to drop a new story tonight with whistleblower info regarding “censorship” policies at Facebook.
Wow. Now O’Keefe’s work can be used in courts of law too. That’s about time.
So if Trump is a Florida resident….
What I was thinking.
My thought exactly.
Exactly!! I was right there with you!!
Come on Governor Abbott! Follow his lead!! A girl can wish…
He is likely a RINO but time will tell.
Shouldn’t take too much time. Govenor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature just handed him (and 48 other Govenors) a template.
Change a few things…drop it on his desk.
Easy
Live in Texas. It’s a certainty.
Likely? Abbot may or may not be a RINO, but he’s too calculating and hesitant for my taste.
“LIKELY a RINO”? Really? If you don’t know for sure that he is, crawl on out from under that rock you’ve been living under!
Abbott always seems to do what Desantis does, 2 months later of course…
Not counting on Abbott. All hat, no cattle.
President Trump should run for state office in Florida just so he can sue twitter and facecrook.
He won’t have to. He’s a Florida Resident.
Private citizens can sue!?????
Florida’s “Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act”
A title that is not deceptive.
Imagine that.
$250,000 per day.
Now that’s “Teeth”.
Pretty cool but also since they can sue too it could go higher. LOL
This is a great day for freedom of speech.
Could SCOTUS say that the citizens of FL have no standing?
I don’t see why not, they said the citizens of Texas had none.
Heck, nobody has any standing with SCOTUS–unless John Roberts approves.
Wasn’t that basically a State vs State issue wrt National elections?
This would be a company violating a single States Law.
State vs Company .
It is a Company violating a State Law that is at issue.
If the Company, in violating a State Law, creates National “issues”, as a consequence of that violation, would it not be the Company creating the “Issue”, and not the State Law that is responsible for any Natuonal issue?
Cart -Horse
Imho, it would be the SCOTUS that has no Standing; as any remedy is at the State level.
Yup. In a normal world I would heck no they can’t do that but while we live in realville the rest of the world lives in pretendville.
I like it! Go get ’em Ron! I’m in Florida and I’m glad he is our Governor!
I hope other RED states jump on this, and Trump GAB-Tweets on this issue!
Full Steam AHEAD, RON, Man the Torpedoes! aim em’ at Google/Tweeter/Facebook/MS! 🙂
p.s. I was out today and UPS and Amazon delivery guys were unmasked. Masks OFF in Florida! Yeah!
Next, RON, let’s sue the CDC, and Dr. Fauci and CHINA! 🙂
AWESOME … and great idea. Every red state needs to do the same.
My husband keeps telling me “Alabama is a red state” and I keep replying “yeah right. Tell that to Beijing Ivy!”
Will these big tech firms, Google, Amazon, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter simply block anyone with a Florida IP address from accessing their sites?
They don’t need Florida… they need China…
Wouldn’t that fall under SD’s second bulletpoint?
The second Bullitt point has to do with not being allowed to enter into a contract with any Florida government agencies if found to not be in compliance with this new Florida law.
It was just a question that came to me since these big tech companies are sociopathic, and usually when given an ultimatum the mentality would be to pull the plug on the entire State and say, ‘what’re you going to do about that???”
We will see, but having dealt with people of the same mindset as these type of narcissists, they never stop, they find workarounds, and challenging Florida Gov. DeSantis to this type of duel would be in keeping with that type of abuse of power.
Agreed, Beesie2003.
Although, blocking every IP address in Florida will prolly get “Folks” (businesses, too) in the other 49 States asking, “WHY”?
The “Sunshine” state…
Indeed!
So here’s the comment I was looking for–did DeSantis and the Florida Legislature anticipate retaliation by Big Tech? Do they have remedies and counter-measures prepared?
Also, (and this is the sharp-eyed legal beagles) does the legislation have real teeth in it, or is it just a feel-good law that has little enforceability and is little more than a PR stunt?
Before people begin piling on, I am a DeSantis supporter and fan (and a Trump / MAGA supporter). But DeSantis and the Florida Legislature just picked on the biggest bully on the block. Hope they’re up to the challenge.
Bully’s don’t like challenges and (depending on the bully) they will usually react disproportionately in order to intimidate and punish their challenger.
That’s impossible.
Legally I mean. Obviously they could try but I mean legally not letting Floridians access your platform isn’t going to stand.
I think they won’t try to do this, but, early Dale Carnegie training always kicks in, first ask yourself ‘what’s the worse that can happen, then prepare for success from there’, a bad habit but it does keep one from going all Pollyanna or in modern terminology, all q.
I suppose Big Tech ‘could’ cancel Florida. But if they do, invest in the competition because the newcomers are gonna have a lot of new customers.
Great….Spend 10’s of thousands on a Lawyer to ‘Maybe’ win….Then you’ve got to hope the Judge and Jury is Honorable……I Love DeSantis….He’s my Governor…..But, this whole Covid-19, election scam/fraud has been a ridiculous Cash Cow for Lawyers and Law firms….Which is never talked about…….Think about it….You have to sue for your Constitutional rights being violated by Lawyer Politicians, Lawyers Governors and Lawyer Bureaucrats ….Yet, none ever lose their Law License…….
Yes. And I imagine that Facebook has quite a war chest to fight these legal battles, unlike most people. Maybe a class action lawsuit would work.
Now you’re talking!!!
Alabama needs to do this right now. It would take a special session of the legislature, but it would be worth the expense.
Every red state should do exactly the same. Give the people the ability to sue our anti-American opponents into oblivion.
Yes!
… where are the other states?
Just to be clear, if the federal law protects Big Tech from such lawsuits, how is this supposed to work? I guess what I’m getting at is wouldn’t the federal law overwrite the state law?
More details please!
Much appreciated,
Al
Federal law doesn’t protect big tech from such lawsuits. Federal courts have twisted federal law to protect big tech. The Supreme Court hasn’t weighed in.
I guess you can try to work around that Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The Florida law is written very carefully and I think it’s being slightly misadvertised to the public as panacea… It may force Big Tech to become more honest about heir TOS to avoid deceptive business/trade practice allegations. Not sure how Florida can force say Google, Facebook, and/or Twitter not to deplatform political candidates though… And how the Florida could prevent the Big Tech from using it’s de facto monopoly powers. Unless more states pass similar laws and the basic model after which all other laws are modeled withstand the scrutiny of the federal courts, it’s pretty much a clever PR move rather than a tool to check the censorship.
That said, once you understand that all Big Tech companies are de facto state actors (tools) controlled by the unelected national security bureaucracy out of Washington, D.C. and not by “the nerds” as we were all being led to believe, you may also realize that the law simply must be overturned by the SCOTUS or the federal courts before it which are controlled by the very same people who control the Big Tech.
The problem that many people seem to be unwilling to recognized though is that you cannot use the system to fight the very same system. It will always protect itself. I think we just witnessed a demonstration (which I found to be very much in our collective face). There can always be some differences of opinion between the groups who run the system, but if it’s us vs them, even the most honest federal judge would make a 180 degree turn, ignore the precedent(s), and turn the law on its head to deliver the outcome favored by the “grown-ups” in D.C.
Very well stated, Al.
AG Merrick Garland: Paging DC OBAMA Judge Boasberg. Cleanup on Florida Aisle 6 with a TRO and Preliminary Injunction STAT!!!
Welcome to “Federalism” – the “original, simple, brilliant(!) concept” originally enshrined in our 10th Amendment.
The notion of “the Sovereign State.” Today, “all fifty of them.” Devised, each one, to be “the masters of their own affairs, however different the conduct of them might turn out to be.” Purposely intended(!) to disagree with one another, yet, under the auspices of a likewise Purposely Limited(!!) “Federal” shell, intended to co-exist.
Under “the present notions now espoused by the would-be Fascists,” such as Nancy Pelosi with her $20,000 refrigerator full of ice cream, “Washington, DC” would be dominant, entitled to overrule each and every state. (Much as they fantasize of doing through “HR-1,” which would brow-beat every State into giving up its Constitutional rights, since the Fascists know that they could never amend the Constitution.)
It is for precisely(!!)(!!) this reason that our Founders, instead, “chose Federalism.” Instead of empowering the Federal layer at the expense of the States – as the Fascists now intend to do – they empowered the States at the expense of the Federal layer.
Now: “The power is ours alone … but … will we now seize it?”
“Precisely”, Mike!
Well, the federal courts have subverted those powers centuries ago… and from then, it’s only gotten worse…
Deplatforming causes economic damages. There will be significant suits. Attorneys will take these cases on a contingency basis, of course big tech will retaliate against plaintiffs and their attorneys. Let the battle begin.
With Big Tech being controlled out of D.C., I don’t see why so many people expect a favorable outcome… Did we learn nothing between last November and January?
You cannot use the system to fight the system.
Yes, I know that Ted Cruz is not a Governor but whenever I see him get lauded by conservatives for making his weekly statement on some topic… I roll my eyes.
Yes, he grilled Dorsey on Big Tech censorship shortly before election and then a week later voted for Lee’s H1-B visa giveaway.
DeSantis sure seems like the real deal and not Decipticon like most big name Republicans.
Cruz has a “Public” and a “Private” position on most THINGS.
Unfortunately, His “Private” positions sometimes become “Public” ones.
Depends…
Dontcha-know
YES. Spread the word. Lyin Ted is right up there with Lindsay Scam, Trey Gowdy, dead as a doorknob hell resident John Songbird McCain and all the other show horses who talk a good game and stab us in the back once the cameras are off. The Cruznadian is a snake. This site has documented it but he is a bottomless pit of lies and treachery. Wow does he know how to pretend otherwise though. For a snake everyone hated his whole life he knows how to play “Constitutional warrior” for the cameras which really cuts to the heart of a Conservative so he’s got quite the scam going that needs to be exposed. And he twit wars with AOC instead of actual work also wasting our time but “appearing” to be doing something.
Hate to break it to you but there is no politician in this country who could take on the national sec bureaucracy in D.C. and remain in office.
Unless our next MAGA President is prepared to mass-arrest 300-400 people working in senior positions inside our national security apparatus along with say 70% of the federal judiciary, shut down all their legal and–most importantly–illegal operations, confiscate their shares in, and wrestle away control from them over, at least half of Fortune 500 companies, and prosecute them using RICO within less that 10-14 days of his presidency, he will be removed from office just like Donald J. Trump. That’s how ephed we really are.
Since our President Trump is now legally a Florida resident, perhaps he can sue FB, Twitter, et al for what they did to him during the election. Not sure if this law would be retroactive. Anyone know?
#MAGA DESANTIS
They kicked Laura Loomer off, too. And she was running for office!
Don’t care if you’re a fan or not (I’m not), but that was a disgusting move by FB or twit or whoever it was that did it.
Last page has Act effective date of July 1st, 2021. Quick.
Another great move by Governor Common Sense.
…ain’t it sweet?!
SUE THE CRAP OUT OF THEM!
Florida, the land of the free and home of the brave.
WILL BE ABBOTT’S TEXAS NEXT …?????
Abbott isnt on the same level as De Santis.
Will the new law apply to Trump if Facebook and Twitter keep him suspended? Seems like it should, even though the initial suspension was before the effective date of the law, a continued suspension should be actionable every day/week/month the suspension is in place. We should finally see a great test of Federalism as the tech fascists move to get the Feds to override this law based on a Commerce Clause argument.
Would it not be “Big Tech” (by violating FL STATE LAW) that causes any issue that “Might” fall under the Commerce Clause?
Don’t break laws…
No issue.
“Assign Responsibility to those Responsible.”
I think a VSG said that once.
LOL. And who just became Florida’s most famous resident recently? Trumps. All of ’em. I think the fine is too low but then they can go to court too and take the company apart.
THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think Trump just needs his own alternate media giant BUT let’s keep in mind the Left took over everything Conservatives created (literally everything including a seminary for ministers, Harvard Univ now the bastion of Lefty satanism and communism) so De Santis fighting like a Lefty is actually very Trumpian.
I am falling in love with this man. Metaphorically of course and not a rival to the Trumps but certainly De Santis is emerging as a top general in the MAGA army now, a diodochi, “Companion” (to Trump) like the conquerors in the tier below Alexander the Great that helped him take over the known world all ruled successful empires after his death.
Gush much?
Floridian. Like President Trump?
We’ll see how the teeth of this actually sink into the meat of Big Tech, vs just gets lost and diluted in the courts.
This entire 50 minutes was GREAT.
Most especially the last 1 minute (starting around 48:58 when a reporter asks if this will apply to Florida resident, President Donald J. Trump)!
DeSantis’ answer is FANTASTIC and he gets a well-deserved Standing O!
Thanks for posting.!????????
No way! LOL. Thanks for telling the question I couldn’t hear it. But yeah awesome answer. I am so sad to hear no Jewish people on the Left will stand up for Jewish people the way De Santis just did. AND for Trump of course. But the Left is so monstrous, if they’re white they’re anti white, Jewish they’re anti Israel, American they’re anti America. All clamoring to be victims at the same time as they actually morph from cry bullies into cry terrorists.
Party of hate and censorship just got some push back.
By the way, De Santis always takes the best actions and is obviously a top tier MAGA general but notice how nobody has the kind of charisma Trump has.
He is really perfect for the VP spot (and someday president). But ONLY after we take care FL is in good hands with the next gov, like Don Jr for instance.
FL has NEVER been governed this well and the plan to California-ize FL has never had the pause button before.
We need to get it from pause to reverse as we also get entire country back on track.
Does anyone know who the twit was that asked the question? I am concerned for her self-esteem and well-being (not really, I just want to know who got burned).
I know someone who currently resides in FL that should be first on the lawsuit list 😉
So if we all move to Florida will it “tip over into the sea”? Asking for my friend hank.
The genius from GA who fears Guam will tip over. If cows could speak, they would say things that insipid.
Hank Johnson
Probably not tip over, since it’s connected to land across the top.
The Peninsula will start sinking from the bottom up, and could, *might* break off eventually tho.
Just trying to think like a Hank Scientist here.
ell hank sez we could use some giant staples secure the peninsula so it does not break off from the panhandle? Or better yet, gorilla glue…you know the thing made from gorillas….
That may be my all time favorite video. I’d love to been a fly on the wall when the admiral returned his office.
And yet, I still live in a Red State with the Cowardly Lion (Governor Ducey) and the Tin man (AG Brnovich).
☹️☹️☹️☹️
Natural Born Killer(TM).
Don’t come to Florida.
North Alabama is good at this point.
Save the gas.
Instead of social media lets call them what they are; Socialist media
Floridians ought to call the offices of their state legislators and thank them. They did good.
And I’ll say its the legislatures in other states that need to see this and get moving and send a bill to the governors.
I just love Florida.
I went down there to visit my son and his family several years ago, got off the plane at Ft Lauderdale airport and said ” I could live here it is beautiful” and really shocked my Rocky Mtn loving husband.
Florida really is a beautiful state in so may ways.
Oooh baby! Now, how about a bill that permits residents to sue anybody who harasses healthy people to get a jab, for any reason?
Or did Gov DeSantis already address this?
I would sue the advertisers who keep insisting they know it is “safe and effective” when nobody knows any such thing before these experimental trials are concluded. And that will take YEARS.
For all you liberals thinking about moving to Florida to escape the dystopian failures you live in, be advised Florida has alligators, poison snakes, sink holes, endless hurricanes, deathly heat and humidity and is nicknamed the gunshine state.
And the biggest danger of all FLORIDA MAN!
Ok, Ok, just kidding around.
ROTFL …is that too long for your interstate billboards?
Is that James O’Keefe? Or his brother? In that photo.
It was James. He was among the ones that DeSantis thanked for helping get this bill done. James got big applause, too.??
Come Monday I will be leaving Maskachusetts and settling in sunny Florida. Republican Governor Charlie Faker would never sign a bill against Big Tech.
Happy Trails, FTM!!
He’s my absolute favorite governor of all time!! What a blessing he is for the state of Florida, and what a blessing for the rest of us. He is the light leading the way to vanquish the dark forces of evil that are threatening our country and its awesome people! God bless you, Ron DeSantis and your amazing Florida legislators!!
POTUS Trump is a Florida resident!! Bring it!!
Let’s home some more red states follow his lead. If politicians would actually fight back against big tech, big tech would back down. Big tech censorship is done in conjunction with Dem politicians and China, so it’s actually state action, not just the acts of private companies. There are laws on the books currently that could be used against big tech, we just need some Attorneys General to enforce them. Barr and Sessions didn’t exactly set a good example in that respect.
Okay, I have a suggestion. How about DeSantis for President and Trump for Vice President on the 2024 ticket. Just sayin………………………………….
He won’t be available until the 2028 Prez election.
Sorry, not Sorry!
But wait a minute before your inaugurate DeSantis as President:
The legislation includes a clause that exempts a company “that owns and operates a theme park or entertainment complex”. Florida is home to the Disney World theme park.
NBC Miami reported some lawmakers saw this as “hypocritical”. “If Facebook buys a theme park, does that prevent us from being able to regulate what happens on Facebook?” asked Andrew Learned, a Democratic member of Florida’s House of Representatives.
“So, if they bought a theme park and named it Zuckerland and he met the definition of a theme park under Florida statute, then yes,” said Republican Representative Blaise Ingoglia.
So there is no silver bullet. Federal elimination of the protection from lawsuits of social media platforms and an explicit recognition that corporations are not people and are thus not entitled to full First Amendment freedoms is the only solution. No politician in sight is capable of making this happen.
A democracy depends on a free market place of ideas where the People get to decide what is true and what is false. Any government (of those acting on behalf of it) that censors its own people does so because it fears them.
Isn’t The Donald a certified, legal resident of FLORIDA?
.
I have questions after skimming through the bill.
— May a social media platform decide ab initio to not give an account to any person who does not already have one (either never had one, or once had one that was canceled).
— How does a social media platform know who is or is not a resident of Florida. (“Resident” is anyone who maintains a residence in Florida, not merely primary domicile.)
— Will the feds attempt to quash this law by claiming that it’s a violation of the Commerce Clause. (If many states follow suit, this becomes less likely.)
DeSantis is what we are supposed to get with all elected Republicans. Would it kill any House/Senate Republican to just release a public statement supporting DeSantis and urging all other Republican governors to do the same? Why wouldn’t they do something so easy and simple? Of course, that assumes they don’t hate what he is doing.
Does that mean President Trump can sue since he’s a resident?
Prez Trump, Laura Loomer, and I think there were/are small businesses that used FB for advertising but leaned Right and were thrown off.
Let’s face it, between FB and Twitter, there is PLENTY of potential here from Private Citizens who got screwed.
Si can President Trump as a resident of florida Sue Twitter and Facebook?