FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has called for an overhaul of Big Tech’s practices, accusing companies of collaborating to suppress free speech. His remarks come as platforms like X achieve record engagement, while legacy media networks face declining influence.
In an open letter addressed to CEOs at Apple, Meta, Google, and Microsoft, Carr accused their platforms of working with organizations like NewsGuard to control narratives and penalize dissenting views. He described this coordination as a “censorship cartel” and demanded accountability. “The censorship cartel must be dismantled,” he wrote.
Carr focused on NewsGuard’s role in determining which media outlets receive favorable treatment, accusing the organization of bias. He cited a U.S. House Committee on Small Business report, which alleged NewsGuard unfairly influenced the media landscape by favoring certain outlets over others.
The commissioner also referenced findings from the Twitter Files, which revealed how tech platforms worked with external organizations to suppress content. Carr argued these practices undermine public trust and violate the “good faith” standards outlined in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.
Carr requested that Big Tech companies disclose their partnerships with NewsGuard and other fact-checking entities by December 10. He emphasized the need for transparency, warning that continued censorship threatens Americans’ constitutional rights.
Carr’s comments highlight growing concerns over the role of Big Tech in shaping public discourse. He urged companies to prioritize free speech, arguing that open dialogue is essential to a functioning democracy.
