California Lawmakers Target Online Platforms Algorithms

Two California lawmakers are targeting what they called disinformation about COVID-19, rejecting criticism that their proposed legislation might curb free speech.

Sen. Richard Pan and Assemblymember Evan Low introduced separate measures to stop the spread of misinformation about the pandemic and protect public health, the lawmakers announced in a Tuesday (Feb. 15) press release.

Pan’s proposal would require online platforms that use algorithms to report how these features rank content and compel disclosure of data for legitimate research purposes, according to the release.

“Transparency will allow the public to make informed decisions,” Pan said in the release. “Lawmakers and researchers need this necessary information so we can hold online platforms accountable and also set standards.”

Low’s initiative would insert language in state law that says physicians and surgeons who promote misrepresentations related to COVID-19 constitute unprofessional conduct, the release stated. That designation could result in disciplinary actions by the Medical Board or the Osteopathic Medical Board in California.

Together, the bills are designed to discourage misinformation through algorithm transparency and by holding the “small number of unethical” doctors accountable for spreading lies about COVID-19, according to the release.

“Due to their specialized knowledge and training, licensed physicians possess a high degree of public trust and therefore must be held to account,” said Low in the release.

The California proposals come less than a week after media regulators in the European Union began considering rules designed to end misinformation on Spotify.

Read more:  EU Media Regulators Seek Rules to End Misinformation on Spotify

The Swedish audio streaming and media services provider has been facing criticism for failing to deal with health- and climate-related falsehoods, as well as hate speech on its platform.

“We should hold them accountable not as a publisher but just like any other online platform in the Digital Services Act,” Frédéric Bokobza, deputy director general of France’s media regulator, Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel, said.