Tell Policymakers: It’s Time to Tackle Disinformation
Social-media platforms and other tech giants have been at the epicenter of a growing disinformation crisis. These companies’ business models incentivize amplifying the worst content because that feeds their bottom line.
That’s why we need policymakers to step in.
Disinformation has disrupted the ability to organize and disseminate accurate information — leading to real-world harms such as voter suppression, an insufficient public-health response to the pandemic, hate crimes, violence, harassment and the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Online platforms have shirked responsibility and accountability for their roles in spreading dangerous disinformation.
We have a roadmap for policymakers to center civil rights, transparency and privacy online. The Disinfo Defense League has introduced a policy platform to support the following reforms:
- Banning discriminatory algorithms
- Limiting Big Tech’s use of our personal information
- Enhancing data transparency
- Enhancing platform transparency about the impacts of the platforms’ business models
- Protecting whistleblowers
- Establishing individuals’ rights to control their own data
- Expanding Federal Trade Commission oversight
- Enlisting the assistance of other federal agencies that protect the public with specialized expertise
- Establishing strong consumer protections
Tell policymakers to adopt the Disinformation Defense League’s policy platform today.