Adam Candeub, a prominent critic of Big Tech, is set to become the new general counsel of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), confirmed by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr. Candeub's appointment comes at a time when debates around Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 are reigniting. This section currently shields tech companies and online service providers from legal consequences based on user-posted content. Candeub's history of challenging such protections suggests that his role within the FCC may influence forthcoming regulatory changes.
Candeub brings a wealth of experience to his new position. He joined the Trump Administration in 2019, serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Telecommunications and Information before transitioning to the role of Acting Assistant Secretary. His tenure in government included a brief stint as Deputy Associate Attorney General at the Department of Justice during the final weeks of Trump's presidency in late 2020.
Beyond his government roles, Candeub is also an established academic, having served as a law professor at Michigan State University since 2004. His earlier career saw him advising the FCC in the early 2000s. In 2020, he was one of the principal authors of an administrative petition urging the FCC to engage in debates about social media content moderation—a move that followed accusations by then-President Donald Trump that social media platforms were censoring conservative voices.
Candeub's vocal criticism of Section 230 has made him a central figure in ongoing discussions about the regulation of online content. The attempt to curb Section 230's power in 2020 did not succeed, but recent developments have kept the issue in the spotlight. In 2023, the Supreme Court sided with Google and Twitter in cases that questioned their liability for hosting content associated with the Islamic State.
Working closely with FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, who has also expressed hopes for reforming Section 230 during the current administration, Candeub will likely play a pivotal role in shaping future telecommunications policies. Both share a vision for potential changes that could redefine how tech companies are held accountable for user-generated content.
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