Adam Candeub FCC Appointment: Big Tech Critic Joins Commission

Potential FCC Appointment of Big Tech Critic Adam Candeub

Adam Candeub, widely recognized as a detractor of large technology corporations, is anticipated to assume a position at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Confirmation of General Counsel Role

According to reports from Semafor, confirmed directly by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Candeub is slated to become the FCC’s general counsel. TechCrunch has contacted the FCC seeking further details regarding this appointment.

Candeub’s Stance on Section 230

For a considerable period, Candeub has consistently voiced criticism regarding Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996.

This section provides legal protection to technology companies and online service providers, shielding them from legal repercussions based on user-generated content.

Arguments against repealing Section 230 center on the concern that holding tech entities liable for posted content could incentivize censorship.

Prior Efforts to Address Content Moderation

In 2020, Candeub played a key role in drafting an administrative petition requesting FCC intervention in the ongoing discussions surrounding social media content moderation practices.

These debates were initially triggered by allegations from Donald Trump that social media platforms were suppressing conservative viewpoints, following content moderation actions taken by companies like X (formerly Twitter) regarding his unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election.

Previous Challenges to Section 230

Previous attempts to modify Section 230 have not been successful.

In 2023, the Supreme Court sided with both Google and Twitter in separate cases that sought to hold the platforms accountable for hosting content from the Islamic State that promoted terrorist activities.

Renewed Focus on Section 230

Discussions surrounding Section 230 were already expected to resurface during the current administration.

Candeub’s arrival at the FCC, alongside Chairman Carr – who has publicly expressed a desire for changes to Section 230 – suggests a renewed focus on this issue.

Candeub’s Professional Background

Candeub previously served as an advisor to the FCC in the early 2000s.

He later joined the Trump administration in 2019, initially as deputy assistant secretary of commerce for Telecommunications and Information, and subsequently as acting assistant secretary.

In late 2020, during the final weeks of the Trump presidency, he transitioned to the Department of Justice as deputy associate attorney general.

Currently, Candeub is a law professor at Michigan State University, having initially joined the faculty in 2004.