House GOP Subpoenas Google Over Biden-Era Content Moderation

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5 days ago

Above: A Google logo sign at the Google for Startups campus in Warsaw, Poland, on Feb. 13, 2025. Image copyright: Damian Lemanski/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Imagesstory last updated 2 days ago

The Facts

The House Judiciary Committee issued a subpoena to Google's parent Alphabet, demanding the release of communications between the company and the Joe Biden administration regarding content moderation policies and practices.
It requested documents on restrictions concerning content related to Pres. Trump, Elon Musk, COVID-19, and other conservative topics, besides communications with third parties working with the executive branch.
The subpoena follows similar probes into Meta, which admitted to wrongly censoring content under pressure from the Biden regime. Last month, the panel subpoenaed eight tech majors, including Apple and X Corp.

The Spin

Republican narrative

Content moderation on social media reflects a dangerous overreach, stifling the marketplace of ideas that underpins democracy. When platforms censor "fake news" or "hate speech" — terms with inherently vague definitions — they inevitably silence legitimate political discourse.

Cato

Democratic narrative

Content moderation decisions are made independently based on clear platform policies, not government pressure, and are necessary to maintain a safe online environment while protecting free expression and fostering meaningful public discourse. Social media platforms have a civic duty to maintain civilized public discourse.

Michigan Publishing