“Over the years, these platforms have changed from neutral platforms that provide Americans to speak,” DeSantis said, “to enforcers of preferred narratives.”
Social media companies have been simultaneously praised and condemned over the weeks as they cracked down on hate speech and inciteful posts they deemed could threaten to foment further violence following the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
Some 250 million Americans have profiles on social media, or about 4 out of every 5 people. Facebook and Twitter are ubiquitous in the lives of ordinary people. Those with substantial followings — including elected officials, celebrities and other public figures — have a platform at their disposal to amplify their messaging.
Conservatives have long accused social media companies and other tech giants of harboring bias against conservatives. Republicans in other states are considering similar bills meant to push back against social media giants who they deem as unfriendly to conservatives.
“Florida is taking back the virtual public square as a place where information and ideas can flow freely. We’re demanding transparency from the big tech giants,” state House Speaker Chris Sprowls said.
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FACEBOOK USERS CAN APPEAL HARMFUL CONTENT TO OVERSIGHT BOARD
Facebook’s quasi-independent Oversight Board said this week that it will start letting users file appeals over posts, photos, and videos that they think the company shouldn’t have allowed to stay on its platforms.
HOW TO TEST-DRIVE VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
New vehicles are brimming with technology that can enhance convenience, connectivity and driver safety. But the tech can also be unfamiliar to car shoppers, especially those who haven’t purchased a vehicle in the past five years or more. This poses a problem when it comes to the traditional test drive.
IN ‘MOFFIE,' BRUTAL INTOLERANCE IN '80S SOUTH AFRICA
The main character of Oliver Hermanus’ shattering “Moffie,” set in 1981 South Africa, is a handsome, white 18-year-old. In the country’s system of apartheid, he is a member of the ruling class, but he’s no insider.
MICROSOFT BUYING SPEECH RECOGNITION FIRM NUANCE IN $16B DEAL
Microsoft, on an accelerated growth push, is buying speech recognition company Nuance in a deal worth about $16 billion.
STARVING FOR MORE CHIPS IN A TECH-HUNGRY WORLD
As the U.S. economy rebounds from its pandemic slump, a vital cog is in short supply: the computer chips that power a wide range of products that connect, transport and entertain us in a world increasingly dependent on technology.
FACEBOOK DELIVERS BIASED JOB ADS, SKEWED BY GENDER
Facebook is showing different job ads to women and men in a way that might run afoul of anti-discrimination laws, according to a new study.
DESKTOP VS MOBILE: UPCOMING INNOVATIONS CHANGE THE GAME
Over the past decade, Apple has revolutionized personal technology with the iPhone and iPad, but the Mac range has seen stunted growth as a result. As the giant pivots towards its personal computing arm once more with the launch of the M1 chip, it’s time to prepare for innovations that could change the way you work for years to come.
YA SCI-FI THRILLER ‘VOYAGERS' DOESN'T QUITE TAKE OFF
The most surprising thing about “ Voyagers,” a sci-fi thriller about a group of young adults who have been tasked with travelling to and repopulating a new planet, is that it isn’t based on a Young Adult book series. Writer and director Neil Burger, who was also behind the “Divergent” films apparently decided to cut out the Intellectual Property middleman and make his own YA statement. That said, it does borrow heavily from quite a few other sources, with shades of “Lord of the Flies,” “The Giver,” “Ender’s Game,” “Euphoria” and any number of space madness films.
BIDEN TELLS EXECS US NEEDS TO INVEST, LEAD IN COMPUTER CHIPS
President Joe Biden used a virtual meeting with corporate leaders about a global shortage of semiconductors to push for his $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan, telling them that the U.S. should be the world’s computer chip leader.
BIDEN NAMES 2 EX-NSA OFFICIALS FOR SENIOR CYBER POSITIONS
President Joe Biden has selected two former senior National Security Agency officials for key cyber jobs in his administration, the White House said in moving to fill out a team whose role has grown more urgent after two major hacks that have consumed the government’s attention.
SPYKE AND MIKE
SPYKE & MIKE GO TO THE PET STORE
USERS COULD SOON HIDE ‘LIKE' COUNTS ON INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK
The tiny red hearts that appear under Instagram photos of kids, kittens and sandwiches can be a source of stress for many users, an insidious way of measuring self-worth and popularity.
Recipe Spotlight
A Healthy Berry Very Easily Turns Decadent
7 Home Businesses You Can Launch in 2021
If you're considering starting your own business in 2021, you're in good company. Many people are looking to pivot and try something new in light of the recent economic climate.
Your Facebook Friend Has Some Thoughts To Share About Your Covid Vaccine
Mark Zuckerberg wanted to make Facebook a source of reliable information about the pandemic. Instead he created a perfect platform for conspiracy theorists
The Internet Doesn't Have To Be Awful
The civic habits necessary for a functioning republic have been killed off by an internet kleptocracy that profits from disinformation, polarization, and rage. Here’s how to fix that.
Built To Last
Long known for its heavy industry, Pittsburgh has reinvented itself as a thriving tech hub
SIGNS of the SEASON
You Say Tomato, We Say Florida’s Finest
Is Olive the New Orange?
Florida Growers Court New Alternative Crop
Florida-Grown Coffee? How UF Scientists Are Using AI To Serve Up the Possibilities
MOST OF THE WORLD’S COFFEE is grown in tropical regions. However, a changing climate could allow coffee to grow farther north — for example, in Florida. In April, all HCYCP participants pick up their tree kits to start their project.