Rep. Mike Honda, D-C.A., sent a letter to officials at the Federal Communications Commission Thursday, Sept. 25, urging the commission to ensure that federally-mandated online filtering software used at public schools and libraries do not block resources for the LGBT community, according to a statement released by Honda’s office. He was joined by 13 members of Congress and 20 other organizations.
In the letter, Honda notes, “It has been reported to me that filtering software also can be used to block much more. Regrettably, Internet content filtering software can — intentionally or unintentionally — be used to block access to particular viewpoints in a discriminatory manner.”
Honda is the founder and chair of the Congressional Anti-Bullying Caucus.
In a statement, Ian Thompson of the American Civil Liberties Union, said, “Unintentionally or not, internet filtering software can be employed in a discriminatory manner that denies LGBT students in crisis a much-needed lifeline for support. The FCC now has an opportunity to address this problem, and they should act to do so.”
You can read the full letter here.
