Adam Candeub Poised to Join Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Adam Candeub, a known critic of Big Tech, looks poised to join the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) as its general counsel.
Background
Candeub will be general counsel of the FCC, reports Semafor, which cites direct confirmation from FCC chairman Brendan Carr. TechCrunch has reached out to the FCC for more information.
Candeub’s Views on Section 230
Candeub has long been a vocal critic of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. Section 230 protects tech companies and online service providers from prosecution based on what their users post on their platforms. The argument against repealing Section 230 is that tech entities, including social media companies, would become liable for what is posted on their platforms, which could lead to censorship.
Previous Attempts to Repeal Section 230
In 2020, Candeub was one of the lead writers of an administrative petition that asked the FCC to get involved with the ongoing debates around social media content moderation. The debates were sparked after Donald Trump accused social media sites of censoring conservative voices after companies like X — Twitter at the time — moderated his inaccurate claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election.
That attempt to curb Section 230’s power wasn’t successful. More recent challenges have also failed. In 2023, the Supreme Court took Google and Twitter’s respective sides in adjacent cases that tried to hold the platforms accountable for allowing content from the Islamic State that promoted the terrorist organization.
Implications of Candeub’s Appointment
The conversation around Section 230 was already likely to come up during this administration again. Candeub joins the FCC alongside recently appointed chairman Carr, who has already been vocal about hoping for changes to Section 230 during this administration.
Candeub’s Background
Candeub previously served as an advisor to the FCC in the early 2000s. He joined the Trump Administration in 2019 as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Telecommunications and Information and also assumed the role of Acting Assistant Secretary. He joined the Department of Justice as Deputy Associate Attorney General in the waning weeks of Trump’s presidency in late 2020. Candeub is currently a law professor at Michigan State University; he first joined its law faculty back in 2004.
Conclusion
Candeub’s appointment as general counsel of the FCC is likely to bring a renewed focus on Section 230 and its implications for Big Tech. With Chairman Carr already expressing hopes for changes to the law, Candeub’s presence could signal a significant shift in the FCC’s approach to online content moderation.
FAQs
Q: What is Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996?
A: Section 230 is a law that protects tech companies and online service providers from prosecution based on what their users post on their platforms.
Q: Why is Candeub a critic of Section 230?
A: Candeub believes that Section 230’s protection of tech companies from liability for user-generated content could lead to censorship and a lack of accountability for online platforms.
Q: What are the implications of Candeub’s appointment for Big Tech?
A: Candeub’s appointment could signal a renewed focus on Section 230 and its implications for Big Tech, potentially leading to changes in the law and increased scrutiny of online content moderation practices.
