Every day, countless voices are silenced on platforms like Nextdoor and Facebook, even when the comments adhere to their guidelines.

What good are guidelines and appeal processes if they aren't being followed by their authors, and aren't fruitful when the contextual rebuttal proves the comment was adhering to their guidelines?

These corporations, which provide essential avenues for public discourse, have taken it upon themselves to judge and censor speech based on their own subjective criteria. This issue isn’t limited to speech that poses genuine harm, such as terrorism or violence. Instead, it often targets well-meaning individuals who simply wish to express their views, criticize policies, or engage in meaningful debates.

I've personally experienced the frustration of having my content removed by overzealous moderators on Nextdoor, or worse, by an automated AI misinterpreting my intent on Meta platforms. What this does is cripple the very backbone of what makes our nation great: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees us the right to free speech, and it’s imperative that this right is protected in all forums, especially in the digital age where online communication is vital.

This petition seeks to ensure that the residents of Texas, and eventually the entire nation, are protected from unwarranted censorship by these tech giants. We are calling on the Texas legislature to amend state laws to prevent companies from stifling public debate unless it involves illegal activity or verifiable threats. Corporations operating public message boards should not have the power to suppress discourse just because it challenges their corporate ethos or narratives.

In recent years, we've seen an alarming growth in politically-biased censorship, often under the guise of misinformation or harmful content. Yet, no system is foolproof. According to a study by Pew Research Center, 72% of Americans believe social media platforms wield too much power in determining what information is seen or censored. Misguided censorship by AI systems, which are still in their infancy in understanding nuanced human communication, can inadvertently cause harm by stifling necessary debate and expression.

This is a slippery slope that endangers not only our constitutional rights but our societal fabric. We can no longer afford to be passive about it. We must hold these companies accountable, potentially through civil liability for any wrongful moderation or censorship. Let’s work together to draw boundaries that protect our rights while maintaining a safe and respectful online environment.

Let us challenge these corporations to create better systems for moderation that reflect a true commitment to free speech and balanced discourse.

Join me in urging the Texas government to rewrite the laws, ensuring that our voices – your voice – remain heard, unfiltered and fair. Together, we can safeguard our democratic principles and make a stand for freedom of expression.

Sign this petition to demand that social media platforms respect and uphold our constitutional right to free speech, or not be allowed to conduct business in our great State of Texas.