FCC Gets Earful on Facebook, Twitter

While the White House created its hotline for social media bias tips, frustrated consumers had already turned to the Federal Communications Commission to lodge grievances about online platforms — despite the agency’s lack of jurisdiction over tech companies. Since 2018, more than 100 people filed complaints alleging bias or censorship from Facebook, Twitter or Google. The bulk of the complaints were aimed at Facebook and Twitter from self-identified conservatives, although some also complained about Google and YouTube. Some bemoaned stints in “Facebook jail” for violating the social media giant’s community standards, while others accused Twitter of retaliating against users for conservative views. “They have become ‘the public square’ and as such need to uphold and honor the constitutional right to free speech,” a complaint about Facebook said. “Fine them to their knees, then break them up just like the phone company.”