The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has submitted comments to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding content moderation and government control over online content. The CCIA emphasized that digital services' ability to make content moderation decisions is protected under the First Amendment and does not conflict with the FTC's role in safeguarding consumers and competition.
The FTC had called for public comments on content moderation amid ongoing debates about governmental influence over online content. This issue has been contentious, with digital services facing criticism for both removing and retaining certain content, leading to legal challenges that have reached the Supreme Court.
For over five decades, the CCIA has advocated for federal laws that shield communications from government interference, citing the First Amendment as a key protection.
CCIA President and CEO Matt Schruers stated: “Digital services are in the trenches every day fighting to protect users from dangerous actors online. This important safety work is necessary to compete and to build online communities that people want to use."
Schruers further warned against regulations hindering these efforts, noting: “Regulations that prevent this important work will leave Americans worse off and make the nation poorer.”