Gov. Gavin Newsom Faces Legal Blow as Rumble Sues California

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Disclaimer: The article may include the author's opinions.

Rumble, the online streaming platform, has filed a lawsuit against the state of California over two recently enacted laws that seek to regulate online speech deemed false during election periods. The platform contends that the policies, which are supported by Governor Gavin Newsom, violate the First Amendment.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by the Alliance for Defending Freedom (ADF) on behalf of Rumble, challenges the constitutionality of the laws. According to the suit, the legislation imposes restrictions on political content and forces platforms to police speech in a way that violates free expression.

Gov. Newsom has promoted the laws as safeguards against “deepfakes” and misinformation, but Rumble contends the measures improperly delegate authority to the government to evaluate and regulate political speech.

One of the laws, the Defending Democracy from Deepfake Deception Act of 2024, mandates that large online platforms block or label “materially deceptive” election-related content in California during designated periods surrounding elections. This includes requiring platforms to identify manipulated audio or visual media as inauthentic, fake, or false.

The second law focuses specifically on “deceptive audio or visual media” featuring political candidates during election periods. It also compels creators to disclose if such content is intended as satire or parody.

The push for these measures followed criticism by Newsom of a manipulated parody video of Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris during the 2024 election cycle. At the time, Newsom called for stricter regulations, stating that manipulating a voice in an ‘ad’ like this one should be illegal here.

ADF Senior Counsel Phil Sechler criticized the laws, describing them as a blatant infringement on free speech. He emphasized that allowing the government to determine the truth in online political discussions is an unmistakable form of censorship.

Rumble’s lawsuit highlights growing concerns over government intervention in online platforms’ handling of political content. As the legal battle unfolds, the outcome could have significant implications for free speech and digital platforms’ responsibilities in the lead-up to elections.

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