• by Steven Rosenbaum , Featured Contributor, March 14, 2022

As the war rages on in Ukraine, it’s becoming clearer that the ground war has a parallel information war being fought online. California Congressman Adam Schiff traveled to Austin, Texas to address the issue of online misinformation.

“There's been a revolution in how we get our information, which I think is every bit as significant as the invention of the printing press,” said Schiff during his South by Southwest presentation.

He said that people are being pushed false information by algorithms programmed to amplify hate and fear, clearly implicating Facebook as a primary platform for alternative facts. But they weren’t alone in Schiff’s stark criticisms.

“There are real limits on what we can do about the worst forms of disinformation,” said Schiff. “We can't tell Fox not to air a Kremlin propagandist. I think consumers can use their feet and stop patronizing those that support that kind of disinformation.”

He saved his more targeted criticism for YouTube, saying ‘“YouTube was a prominent purveyor of RT (Russia Today)." Schiff said the labeling was insignificant. “Now they're starting to crack down on that, but it's very slow and I think this is largely a question of will, not resources, on the part of the technology companies.”

So what is Congress to do? Schiff said there were two options, shame or new laws, and then he took aim at Section 230.

“Section 230 immunized the technology companies and has been used as a shield to protect them when they allow harmful content on their platforms,” said Schiff.

There are mixed feeling within the tech community on how 230 should be changed, but here’s Schiff’s version of its history and where it broke down. “That immunity was given to the tech companies for a couple of reasons early in their incarnation because we didn't want to stifle innovation, but it was also given actually as a means of encouraging them to moderate their content,” said Schiff. “The companies claim to be concerned that if they didn't have immunity for taking down things that would violate their policies, they could be sued, so this was actually a way that would encourage them to be good corporate citizens. It hasn't turned out that way.”

Then Schiff put out an ultimatum of sorts, saying if the platforms “continue amplifying for engagement -- which means amplifying for fear and hate and often disinformation -- they shouldn't have an immunity.”

And then, so no one misunderstood the tenor of his charges, he added, “This is one of the most important challenges that we face, not just in Congress but as a country.”

Finally, Schiff discussed the issues around TikTok. “I'm concerned about TikTok because TikTok is increasingly becoming a news source. I thought it’s really smart of administration to reach out to TikTok influencers” -- but he remains concerned that Russia is pushing disinformation in the guise of humor on the Chinese-owned platform.

Often when politicians talk about tech, they don't seem to understand the technology or impact. But  asSchiff spoke for an hour, also answering questions, he seemed to be aware of the seriousness of the threat, and the multidimensional danger of any sweeping congressional lawmaking.

It was an impressive understanding of the issues we face, as a country -- and a world deep in an information war with skilled and agile adversaries.

FYI: In a last-minute addition to the SXSW schedule, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will join the conference tomorrow. But instead of being interviewed by a journalist, he will be in conversation with "Shark Tank" star and FUBU clothing entrepreneur Daymond John. And while John will be in person, Zuckerberg will attend via a remote video feed.