Comments sought on ending US tech giants’ protections

WASHINGTON: The Federal Communications Commission will take comments for 45 days on President Donald Trump’s proposal to weaken liability protection for social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter, the agency’s chairman said.

The step ensures the that administration’s request will get a hearing before the independent agency. Both members of the FCC’s Democratic minority have objected to Trump’s request.

Commissioner Geoffrey Starks earlier said the administration “has not made the case that Congress gave the FCC any role” in interpreting the law around online social media.

Trump issued an order in May seeking the petition, and an arm of the Commerce Department filed documents last week requesting FCC action.

Experts have said the president’s move was unlikely to survive legal challenge. The companies say they get complaints from conservatives and liberals alike and don’t favour either side.