Several Republicans in the House have launched a caucus that will focus on fighting Big Tech’s censorship and its ever growing power.
“Big Tech companies operate under an ‘America last’ mindset that has negatively affected consumers and small businesses across the country while benefiting China and entrenching their gatekeeper power,” said Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) in a press release announcing the caucus.
Buck and Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) will serve as co-chairs of the caucus, Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) is the vice-chair, while Reps. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) and Burgess Owens are listed as founding members.
The press release lists seven points the caucus will focus on to take on Big Tech.
The Freedom from Big Tech Caucus will unite Republicans in Congress to rein in Big Tech. Through legislation, education, and awareness, the Freedom from Big Tech Caucus will:
“Restore the free and dynamic digital economy
“Promote competition and innovation
“Protect children from harmful content online
“Support small businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs
“Protect privacy and data rights
“End political censorship
“Counter Big Tech’s courtship of the Chinese Communist Party”
The launch of the caucus comes barely two weeks after GOP members in the House Judiciary Committee released their agenda to take on Big Tech. The agenda, released July 6, “presents specific proposals that will speed up and strengthen antitrust enforcement, hold Big Tech accountable for its censorship, and increase transparency around Big Tech’s decisions.”
Like their counterparts in the House Judiciary Committee, Republicans forming the caucus highlighted lack of accountability as one of the factors making Big Tech platforms to operate with impunity.
“Big Tech has abused its market power for decades, and Congress must act to hold these companies accountable and preserve the free market, promote competition and innovation, protect the freedom of speech, and foster a thriving digital economy,” said Buck, according to the press release.
