Missouri Attorney General Introduces Landmark Rule to Combat Social Media Censorship
In a groundbreaking move, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has proposed a first-in-the-nation regulation under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act aimed at combating corporate censorship by major social media platforms. The new rule, known as 15 CSR 60-19, empowers Missouri users to choose their own content moderators, moving away from reliance on platform-controlled algorithms.
The regulation categorizes it as an unfair or deceptive practice for social media companies to deny users access to third-party content moderators. As part of the rule, platforms must provide a choice screen for content moderation during account setup and periodically thereafter. They are also required to maintain neutrality when presenting their own moderation tools and ensure compatibility with independent moderators.
While safeguarding essential protections related to child safety and unlawful threats, the regulation also reinforces states’ rights to uphold free speech principles in line with competition law as affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in Moody v. NetChoice. Bailey emphasized that this rule is a crucial step toward protecting digital free speech and aligns with burgeoning national efforts to curb tech companies’ perceived overreach.
In an effort to engage with the community, the Attorney General’s office will soon host public forums to gather input from Missourians regarding social media moderation practices. The complete text of the regulation can be found on the Missouri Attorney General’s website.
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