Haley Clarifies Social Media Name Verification Stance
The Facts
Former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who’s currently running for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has slightly walked back her proposal that social media platforms forbid anonymous posting.
Haley, in a Fox News interview Tuesday, called anonymous social media posts a “national security threat” and said that if she wins the presidency, she’ll require social media platforms to verify their users and show their algorithms.
The Spin
Narrative A
Haley’s proposal is grossly unconstitutional. Anonymous speech is a vital piece of free speech, and some of America’s greatest early heroes used pseudonyms to express their opinions without the fear of being harassed or worse. If conservatives are going to continue to stand up for their beliefs, the nation needs more free speech, not less.
Narrative B
Haley’s critics are misinterpreting her proposal and the constitution. She’s trying hard to stop foreign actors — including China and Iran — from creating multiple accounts in an effort to spread misinformation that will harm the US. In addition, First Amendment protection might apply to the government requiring social media verification, but private companies are free to establish their own terms of service.
