AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 20 on Thursday. The new Texas law protects social media users and their content.
The law prevents social media companies from banning users based on their political viewpoints. It also requires disclosures on how sites manage content, as well as their complaint and appeals process for removed content.
"There is a dangerous movement by some social media companies to silence conservative ideas and values," said Abbott. "This is wrong and we will not allow it in Texas."
If platforms are notified of illegal content, the law requires them to evaluate it within 48 hours, a policy that mirrors at least one proposal in US Congress.
Companies that break the rules face civil lawsuits or action from the Texas attorney general.
"We will always defend the freedom of speech in Texas, which is why I am proud to sign House Bill 20 into law to protect first amendment rights in the Lone Star State," said Abbott. "Social media websites have become our modern-day public square. They are a place for healthy public debate where information should be able to flow freely — but there is a dangerous movement by social media companies to silence conservative viewpoints and ideas. That is wrong, and we will not allow it in Texas.