This proposed Minnesota bill, S.F. No. 2269, introduces regulations on social media platforms, focusing on protecting free speech, preventing unfair censorship, introducing antitrust protections, and enforcing penalties for violations. The key provisions include:

1. Social Media and Free Speech Protections

• The bill asserts that social media platforms are akin to public utilities and should protect First Amendment rights.
• Censorship, shadow banning, and deplatforming of Minnesota residents and political candidates are prohibited.
• Platforms must apply content moderation policies uniformly, notify users of content removal, and provide an appeals process.
• Political candidates cannot be deplatformed from the time they qualify as a candidate until the election.
• Social media platforms found deplatforming a political candidate may be fined $250,000 per day for statewide candidates and $25,000 per day for other offices.
• Social media platforms must allow users to opt out of algorithm-driven content ranking.

2. Antitrust Regulations

• Entities violating antitrust laws may be barred from doing business with public entities in Minnesota.
• Companies listed as antitrust violators may be prohibited from receiving state contracts or economic incentives.
• The Minnesota Department of Commerce will maintain a public “antitrust violator vendor list.”
• The Attorney General can temporarily ban companies from government contracts if suspected of antitrust violations.

3. Enforcement and Penalties

• Users can sue platforms for violations of censorship rules, with damages up to $100,000 per claim, plus actual, punitive, and attorney fees.
• The Minnesota Department of Commerce can investigate complaints, issue subpoenas for algorithms, and take legal action against platforms.
• Courts in Minnesota will have jurisdiction over social media platforms operating in the state.

4. General Provisions

• The bill includes a severability clause, ensuring that if any part of it is found unconstitutional, the rest remains enforceable.
• Enforcement is subject to federal law, particularly Section 230 of the U.S. Code.

Summary

This bill aims to regulate social media platforms like public utilities and restrict their ability to moderate content unfairly, particularly regarding Minnesota citizens and political candidates. It also introduces tough antitrust measures and allows users to sue platforms for violations.