Regulating Social Media and Encrypted Technology
In the absence of adequate tech industry self-regulation, government needs to extend more systematic oversight of companies like Meta, Google, TikTok, and X.
We have shown how major social media companies and messaging platforms have exacerbated political polarization by enabling the spread of disinformation and other divisive content. One potential response would be for Congress to enhance the federal government’s consumer protection authority to oversee digital industries.
Publications
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Covert Campaigns: Safeguarding Encrypted Messaging Platforms from Voter Manipulation
Our new report on encrypted messaging platforms reveals how political propagandists are exploiting these tools to manipulate voters globally, while offering recommendations for platforms, policymakers, and researchers to mitigate these threats without undermining end-to-end encryption.
‘We Want You To Be A Proud Boy’ How Social Media Facilitates Political Intimidation and Violence
As a volatile election nears, our report reveals that social media is consistently exploited to facilitate political intimidation and violence, and recommends crucial changes that social media companies and governments can implement to reduce these harms.
Digital Risks to the 2024 Elections: Safeguarding Democracy in the Era of Disinformation
A new report by Paul M. Barrett, Justin Hendrix and Cecely Richard-Carvajal highlights that this year's primary tech-related threat to elections isn't AI-generated content, but the spread of false, hateful, and violent content on social media platforms.
NetChoice Amicus Brief
In this brief, the Center urged the Supreme Court not to grant the social media industry full immunity from regulation, while also arguing that content moderation laws in Florida and Texas violate the First Amendment.
Gonzalez v. Google Amicus Brief
The Center's amicus brief urged the Supreme Court not to limit social media platforms' liability protections to permit lawsuits over their recommendation systems.
Spreading The Big Lie: How Social Media Sites Have Amplified False Claims of U.S. Election Fraud
Our report explains how the major platforms are fueling distrust of elections and recommends reforms such as enhanced fact-checking and outside auditing.
Press
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Quick Takes
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Past Events
See allVanderbilt Social Justice Reporter and Thurgood Marshall Institute at the Legal Defense Fund Event Focused on Voting Rights in the South
8 AM - 4 PM