The state Senate approved legislation this week that would require websites to investigate automated accounts that spread misinformation in an attempt to influence public opinion.
The move comes as lawmakers have grappled with how best to combat the growing use of so-called bots by businesses, celebrities and foreign actors in a way that doesn’t burden social media websites and other Internet platforms.
“It is a challenging area because of the First Amendment, but it is an important step as we begin to try to figure out how we legislate in this new technological world,” Sen. Bob Hertzberg said when he presented his bill on the Senate floor.
SB 1001, by the Van Nuys Democrat, would require social media websites to give users a way to report misleading bots to them, and then those complaints must be investigated within 72 hours.
Often times, users aren’t aware that an automated account is responsible for information posted on a website, such as Facebook or Twitter. In many cases, Hertzberg says, the information generated by bots is fake. After the Parkland High School shooting in Florida, for example, 600 bots linked to Russian accounts spread misinformation intended to divide the public.
An earlier version of Hertzberg’s bill would have required social media websites — not users — to identify bots, but he amended the bill after critics expressed concern that it would burden website operators.
The bill is supported by the nonprofit Common Sense Kids Action. The California Chamber of Commerce, CompTIA, TechNet and other Internet advocacy groups oppose it, according to the Senate floor analysis.
Lawmakers approved the bill on a 26-10 vote without any debate. It now heads to the Assembly for consideration.
Senators also passed related legislation that would require the state attorney general to establish an advisory group to study the spread of false information through Internet-based social media platforms.
SB 1424 by Sen. Richard Pan, D-Sacramento, would require the group to include at least one member of the Department of Justice, as well as social media providers, civil liberties advocates and First Amendment scholars.
“This is the first step to slow the spread of false information that is dividing our country and that is undermining our public discourse,” Pan said.
Pan’s bill would require the working group to draft a model strategic plan that social media platforms could use to mitigate the spread of false information.
Lawmakers approved the bill by a 25-11 vote. It now heads to the Assembly.
