Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has filed a first-in-the-nation rule under the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act aimed at curbing corporate censorship by major social media platforms. The new regulation gives Missouri users the right to select their own content moderators rather than relying solely on platform-controlled algorithms.
Codified as 15 CSR 60-19, the rule classifies it as an unfair or deceptive practice for social media platforms to deny users the option to choose third-party content moderators. Under the rule, platforms must present a content moderation choice screen during account setup and at regular intervals, maintain neutrality in presenting their own tools, and ensure compatibility with independent moderators.
The rule includes provisions to prevent interference with essential protections, such as those related to child safety and unlawful threats, while reinforcing the authority of states to uphold free speech rights under competition law principles recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court in Moody v. NetChoice.
Bailey called the regulation a critical step in protecting digital free speech and emphasized its alignment with broader national efforts to roll back perceived overreach by tech companies.
Public forums will soon be scheduled to collect input from Missourians about social media moderation practices. The full text of the rule is available on the Missouri Attorney General’s website.
