Marsha Blackburn Secures Another Tech Win, Removes Censorship Loophole from Open App Markets Act

Contact Your Elected Officials
Breitbart News Header

Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has secured another win for conservatives on tech policy, removing a loophole from a bill designed to regulate the app marketplaces of Apple and Google that would have allowed them to continue to censor in the name of โ€œdigital safety,โ€ according to sources familiar with the matter.

The bill, the Open App Markets Act, protects the ability of app developers to โ€œsideloadโ€ apps onto iPhones and Android devices, bypassing the chokehold of the two tech giants, who control 99 percent of smartphone operating systems worldwide.

An early version of the bill contained a big loophole: Google and Apple would still have been able to boot apps from their marketplaces if they did so in the name of โ€œdigital safetyโ€ โ€” a term wide-open to interpretation, that has often been used by Big Tech as a pretext to censor conservatives. Even for non-political apps, Apple and Googleโ€™s current systems represent aย strangehold on their businesses.

However, a new version of the Open App Markets Act seen by Breitbart News no longer contains the โ€œdigital safetyโ€ language. Sources familiar with the matter say Sen. Blackburn was responsible for this last-minute change. The new version of the bill is likely to be introduced via the โ€œhotlineโ€ procedure in the Senate, meaning it will pass if no Senators object.

Left wing groups such as the Center for American Progressย arguedย that the earlier version of the bill would ensure โ€œhate speechโ€ and โ€œdisinformationโ€ were not protected because the loophole allowed platforms โ€œto take action to protect the safety or security of its users.โ€

The removal of this censorship loophole, which was the number-one point of conservative criticism of the Open App Markets act, would be the second big win for Sen. Blackburn on tech policy this week.

By Allum Bokhari

Read Full Article on Breitbart.com

Breitbart News
Breitbart Newshttps://www.breitbart.com/
Breitbart News is a conservative news and opinion website featuring exclusive interviews and original content with and from American and world leaders.

Democrats Are In Disastrous Shape As Midterms Loom

According to CNN's Harry Enten, โ€œThe Democratic brand is in the basement. It is total and complete garbage in the mind of the American public.โ€

A Primer on Conservatism

Conservatism is based on the maintenance and preservation of economic and governmental liberty of the individual citizen to choose what is best for their interests.

Woke Verses Folk Marketing Mayhem

For purposes of this article woke is about 10% of our population while folk is defined as the remaining 90% of our population.ย 

Late nightโ€™s Javan Rhino ย 

Once upon a time in America, late-night television talk shows were nightly viewing for many following their local news.

MyPillowโ€™s CEO Mike Lindell Wins 2 Court Cases

A federal court tossed the $5M ruling against Mike Lindell, saying arbitrators rewrote the rules of his 2021 Cyber Symposium challenge.

Trump Orders Nuclear Submarines Moved After Former Russian Presidentโ€™s Comments

Trump confirmed he ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in appropriate regions, in case Putin's inflammatory statements are more than just that.

American Eagle Responds to Critics Over Ad With Sydney Sweeney

In a statement posted on American Eagleโ€™s Instagram account on Friday, the retailer said the ad campaign โ€œis and always was about the jeans.

What to Know About 7-OH, the Synthetic Opioid Derived From Kratom Facing an FDA Ban

Synthetic opioid derived from the kratom plant sold in gummies, tablets, and drink mixes is to be restricted due to concerns it has serious potential for abuse.

Wall Street Review: Stocks Sell Off Amid Confusion Over Economic Data and Fed Policy

After all-time highs for a couple of weeks, U.S. equities retreated on profit-taking and confusion over direction of U.S. economy and monetary policy.

Tariff Rates โ€˜Pretty Much Set,โ€™ Says US Trade Representative

President Trumpโ€™s trade representative, Jamieson Greer, said that Americans should expect the administrationโ€™s tariff levels to remain where they are.

White House Officials Say Trump Had โ€˜Real Concernsโ€™ With Top Labor Official Before Firing Her

White House officials said it was necessary to fire former Bureau of Labor Statistics head Erika McEntarfer following release of lower-than-expected jobs report.

Trump Admin Cancels $26 Million Funding for Baltimore-DC Maglev Train Project

The FRA will cancel two grants worth more than $26 million for the Baltimore-Washington Superconducting Magnetic Levitation (SCMAGLEV) project.

Senate Confirms Former Fox News Host Jeanine Pirro as US Attorney for DC

The U.S. Senate confirmed former Fox News host and political commentator Jeanine Pirro to serve as the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.
spot_img

Related Articles