The newly released documents reveal that senior Biden-Harris administration officials sought advice from British “disinformation” officials on how to work with social media companies and establish a government-wide effort to combat unwanted content related to elections and COVID-19. Congress is investigating potential censorship efforts by the executive branch leading up to the 2024 election, prompting a House Republican to propose legislation preventing U.S. tax dollars from going to countries that regulate online speech.
America First Legal, a conservative watchdog group, obtained a slide deck from a private meeting between the National Security Council and the U.K. government’s Counter Disinformation Unit. The meeting took place on August 21, 2021. The Counter Disinformation Unit is part of the British government’s Department of Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport. The slides were obtained as part of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit with the CDC.
Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., chair of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, has raised concerns about potential suppression campaigns by the administration regarding political speech. She introduced the No Funds for Fascists Act, which aims to prohibit taxpayer funds from assisting foreign governments that restrict free speech.
Critics of the Biden-Harris administration argue that they have a troubling record of collaborating with social media platforms to control or censor speech. The NSC meeting with the British unit has raised eyebrows, with Mace calling it “over-the-top.” Michael Ding, counsel to America First Legal, highlighted the potential dangers of international NGOs influencing free speech policies.
The British slides presented during the meeting included suggestions for establishing a government unit to combat disinformation, similar to the Counter Disinformation Unit. They also proposed legislation to regulate tech companies’ misinformation policies, akin to the Online Safety Act in Britain. However, Ding criticized these efforts as a form of censorship and urged policymakers to consider the implications for free speech.
Additionally, the British officials recommended using the State Department to collaborate with international allies and organizations like the United Nations, G7, and NATO to combat misinformation globally. This international effort aims to send a clear message that the international community is prioritizing this issue and encourages cooperation from social media platforms.
As the debate over online speech regulation continues, lawmakers and watchdog groups are closely monitoring the Biden-Harris administration’s approach to combating disinformation. The push for transparency and accountability in government efforts to address misinformation remains a key concern for advocates of free speech and civil liberties.
