In Washington, a major technology advocacy group known as NetChoice, which includes members such as Google and Meta, has been vocal in asserting the applicability of the First Amendment in the field of digital communications. This position was recently highlighted during legislative debates on a new child safety bill.
Reporting by Cecilia Kang, the group has been critical of the Kids Online Safety Act, labeling it as flawed in both policy and legality. NetChoice's argument is based on the assertion that the legislation, which aims to curb harmful online behavior such as cyberbullying and encouraging self-harm through social media, has been consistently stymied by judicial decisions in the US due to concerns constitutional.
Cecilia Kang, a veteran journalist with more than two decades of experience in technology and regulatory affairs, explains how NetChoice's lobbying efforts aren't just about opposing specific pieces of legislation, but about advocating for a broader interpretation of protections constitutional in the digital age.