California first state to make social media companies disclose policies

(KYMA, KECY/ AP News) - California will impose first-of-its-kind requirements on social media companies to publish their policies for removing disturbing content including hate speech.

The bill was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom who said “California will not stand by as social media is weaponized to spread hate and disinformation that threaten our communities and foundational values as a country."

A coalition of the bill’s opponents have said companies already have to make their content moderation policies public, so they objected to the bill’s requirement that these companies have to disclose sensitive information to the state attorney general.

But the bill had bipartisan support from lawmakers despite some concerns, and advanced after stalling last year over free speech issues.