NetChoice, a trade group for internet companies, testified against the legislation, saying private companies should have the right to decide whether to remove content that they deem harmful.
“The First Amendment makes clear that government may not regulate the speech of private individuals or businesses,” said NetChoice President Steve DelBianco. “This includes government action that compels speech by forcing a private social media platform to carry content that is against its policies or preferences.”
He said it isn’t the intent of social media companies to limit free speech, but they should have the right to set standards and delete comments they feel are inflammatory, incite violence or spread false information.