Cato Daily Podcast The Federal Trade Commission Gears up to Punish Tech Platforms
Mar 3, 2025
David Inserra, a free expression and technology expert at the Cato Institute, and Jenniffer Huddleston, a senior fellow at Cato, dive into the FTC's looming regulations on big tech. They discuss the agency's efforts to gather consumer feedback on censorship and unfair treatment. The conversation covers the delicate balance between competition and free speech, procedural hurdles faced by the FTC, and the potential implications of government oversight in content moderation policies. This insightful dialogue raises important questions about regulation and First Amendment rights.
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FTC's Broad Authority
- The FTC's request for information signals a broad interpretation of its authority, especially regarding tech.
- This approach raises concerns about government overreach and potential First Amendment violations.
Antitrust and Content Moderation
- Content moderation decisions by tech companies might be influenced by competition.
- Using antitrust law to regulate content moderation is concerning and could be counterproductive.
Content Moderation as Speech
- Tech companies' content moderation is expressive and protected by the First Amendment.
- Perceived unfairness in moderation doesn't justify government censorship.