Facebook, Twitter and Google could get fined for banning candidates under new Florida law

A new Florida law takes aim at Google, Facebook and Twitter. César Salza/CNET Large tech companies such as Facebook, Twitter and Google could get slapped with fines if they bar political candidates in Florida from their platforms, under a new law signed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday.The law came after Facebook, Twitter and Google-owned YouTube took the unprecedented step of booting then-President Donald Trump from their platforms out of concerns that his remarks could incite more violence after the deadly riots on Capitol Hill in January. These companies have long pushed back against allegations that they censor conservative speech, but criticism has increased after Trump was barred from multiple platforms.  Editors’ top picks Subscribe to CNET Now for the day’s most interesting reviews, news stories and videos. Under the law, which takes effect July 1, the Florida Election Commission would fine any social media company $250,000 per day if the company removed an account for a candidate for statewide office. Social networks would also get fined $25,000 per day if they de-platformed candidates running for local offices. Florida is the first state to enact these types of fines against social media companies.”If Big Tech censors enforce rules inconsistently,…
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