Bits about Money / Complex Systems asked the Center for American Progress three questions.

We received the following statement, which we have not edited except to remove
personally identifying information prior to the first sentence, in the interest
of the spokesperson's privacy.

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Both are attributable to a Center for American Progress spokesperson.

Q1:

Research shows that there is often a connection between online hate and real-life violence—and as many as one third of internet users have experienced hate speech.  For nearly a decade, CAP has worked to make the internet safer and hold Big Tech companies accountable for the extremist content they host. As part of that work, CAP participated in Change the Terms (CTT), an informal advocacy coalition co-chaired by several organizations, including CAP. Our participation in the collective concluded when coalition’s work ended in early 2024.

Q2 and Q3:

The consistent enforcement of safety standards against those who incite violence is not a political act, it is a vital component of a functioning democracy that applies to all parties and all participants in American public discourse.  Facebook itself recognized this when it decided on its own to take action against those responsible for the Capitol riot in January 2021. Neither CAP nor CTT sought to "interdict political fundraising" or suppress nonviolent political expression.  Rather, CAP has focused on discouraging powerful, private companies from supplying a megaphone and staging ground to those who would spread violent messages online, regardless of party or ideology. Stopping violence is a legitimate goal of policy.  The letters were motivated by and sought to address concerns over Meta’s confusing application of its own standards and reversal of the steps it had taken to assure Facebook reflected a free, peaceful and vibrant public forum necessary for the functioning of our democracy. 

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