Trump's new FCC pick could reshape America's internet rules forever
A Washington insider gets picked to lead US communications watchdog. His plans to change big-tech rules and satellite internet regulations might affect how Americans use social media
Last sunday Brendan Carr – a 45-year-old legal pro whoʼs been part of DC scene for years got tapped by Trump to run the FCC (Americas top media watchdog)
Carr joined Elon Musk at the latest star-ship launch in Texas: their partnership hints at whats coming. The new boss has a clear-cut plan for Americas tech scene – he wants to shake-up how social-media works and boost space-based internet projects
His to-do list is pretty straight-forward: first up he wants to change section-230 rules (which let tech companies do what they want with content) and make big-tech explain when they block or down-rank stuff. About two years back he fought against an $885m deal cancellation that hurt Musks Starlink project; now hes ready to speed-up satellite internet plans
- Make companies tell when they block content
- Change how social platforms moderate posts
- Speed up satellite internet approvals
- Put new rules on broadcast TV stations
The new chairman doesnt like how tech giants run things – he calls Facebook Google Microsoft and Apple a “censorship cartel“. Back in 22 he backed Musks Twitter buy saying it would help free speech; now hes pushing for more open internet rules
One thing might cause trouble with his boss though: Carr wants to block TikTok (he says its a problem for national security) while Trump wants to keep it running. Still this lawyer-turned-regulator seems ready to change how Americans use the internet – whether big tech likes it or not
