Recent changes in digital platform governance have sparked a critical debate: the balance between free speech and the necessity of content moderation which can have serious implications for housing advertisement. This panel will cover the ramifications of major platforms reducing content moderation in the name of protecting speech, examining the subsequent effects on individuals' access to essential opportunities in housing, employment, and credit. We will explore the definition of 'free speech' in an era where bots disseminate misinformation and AI systems may produce fabricated content. Key discussions will include implications AI-generated content in housing, the constitutional protections for platforms hosting such content, and the ethical implications of unauthorized use of personal likenesses in housing advertisement. Furthermore, we will analyze the role of Section 230 in this context and consider the responsibilities of governmental agencies in overseeing these complex issues.
Cody Venzke - American Civil Liberties Union
Spencer Overton - George Washington University Law School
John Bergmayer - Public Knowledge
Laura MacCleery - UnidosUS




