Remove Images of Murder and Other Viral Violent Content From Social Media

Target: Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S/ House of Representatives

Goal: Hold social media companies accountable for unchecked spread of violent images and other inflammatory content.

Before the case of social media influencer Gabby Petito captured the nation’s attention, another young woman who spent much of her life on social media was allegedly murdered by a friend. When images of Bianca Devins’ lifeless body appeared on a social media platform shortly thereafter, viewers were first skeptical and then horrified after they learned that the pictures were real. The grotesque images, reportedly taken by Devins’ accused murderer, went viral…and were even sent to her family. Bianca’s grieving loved ones endured months of online harassment in the wake of the shocking events. These resilient individuals would eventually turn their grief into meaningful action and a potentially impactful legacy.

The recent revelations by a Facebook whistleblower demonstrates how social medial companies continuously put profit ahead of public welfare. Violent content, whether it be against humans or animals, lingers on the internet for far too long and often gains a twisted following. Bianca’s Law, a proposed bill backed by the Devins family and named in honor of their daughter, would charge all major social media corporations with creating an office devoted exclusively to rooting out and eradicating violent content before it gains a dangerous foothold and footprint online. These offices would be held strictly accountable for doing their jobs, with routine audits and powers granted to attorney generals to enforce the law and duly punish any lax behaviors.

Since first being introduced, however, this important piece of legislation has stalled. Sign the petition below to demand movement on a measure that could finally hold big tech giants who misuse their power and endanger public safety to account.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Speaker Pelosi,

Facebook has been in the hot-seat for ignoring and even encouraging destructive behaviors on its platforms. This social media giant is far from the only bad actor in the online world, however. Disinformation, terrorist recruiting, and violence-laden content now populate nearly every corner of social media. And far too often, these global influencers are slow to act in stopping the virulent spread of this dangerous content. Bianca Devins, whose murdered body was displayed for the world—and her family—to see, is one horrific example.

H.R.8323, otherwise known as Bianca’s Law, could help change this narrative. As the bill’s sponsor, Congressman Anthony Brindisi, aptly summarized: “our bill will hold big social media companies like Facebook and Instagram accountable for the spread of graphic content on their platforms, and if these companies don’t deliver, the FTC will step in and make them. It shouldn’t take intervention from a member of Congress to stop families from being terrorized with violent images of their daughter’s murder. After everything they’ve been through, the Devins family deserves to know that they, and any other family, will never face this kind of abuse ever again.”

These statements were made nearly a year ago, and in the meantime the accusations of the recklessness and carelessness of big tech giants have only multiplied. Congress has signaled its intent to hold these conglomerates more accountable, but the lack of action on this essential bill says otherwise.

Show the communities irreparably harmed that you mean what you say and that you stand in their corner, not in the hold of unregulated corporate kingpins. Please introduce Bianca’s Law to the floor for debate and a vote with expedience.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Brett Jordan