Freedom of speech & expression

Israeli Cybersecurity CEO Calls to 'Limit the First Amendment'

Is this a call to limit manipulative bots and inauthentic content, or a reckless suggestion to undermine free speech?

Published JAN 2

Israeli Cybersecurity CEO Calls to 'Limit the First Amendment'

Story

Above: Cato Networks CEO Shlomo Kramer at the Bloomberg Tech Summit in London, U.K., on Oct. 22, 2024. Image credit: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Facts

During an interview Monday on CNBC's Money Movers program discussing the effects of AI cyberwarfare on geopolitics, Israeli cybersecurity CEO Shlomo Kramer suggested that the U.S. needed to "limit the First Amendment in order to protect it."
CNBC
BRICS News on X
In the interview, Kramer, who is the co-founder and CEO of cybersecurity firm Cato Networks, claimed that democratic countries that uphold First Amendment-style free speech rights are at risk of being undermined by non-democratic adversaries, resulting in "polarization."
CNBC
Cato Networks Ltd.
When asked what he meant by limiting the First Amendment, Kramer said governments need to "control" all social media platforms, "stack rank the authenticity of every person that expresses themself online," and "take control over what they are saying based on that ranking."
Alex Jones on X
WallStreetMav on X
Kramer said he knew his policy suggestion was "difficult to hear," but argued that it was necessary "to protect" the First Amendment "before it's too late."
Grabien News
CNBC
On the topic of how he would deal with governments taking too long to achieve such a policy, Kramer said it would be done faster by private cybersecurity firms like Wiz, CrowdStrike, and his own company.
SOVEREIGN BRAH on X
New York Post

Sources Split

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The Spin

Narrative A

There is a need to combat adversarial accounts — anonymous, AI-generated bots — that drown out authentic voices through disinformation. It's vital to protect transparent human debate from manipulative operations eroding the social fabric in established democracies. Europe's efforts in controlling antisemitic content show how targeted measures can reduce inorganic harmful speech without hindering real people's free speech.

The Jerusalem Post

Israel Democracy Institute

Narrative B

This has nothing to do with social cohesion, let alone protecting Americans. While claiming to be fighting nefarious foreign actors, Kramer is actually calling for censoring Americans on behalf of a foreign government — in this case, Israel. Kramer represents the ruling class of billionaires and politicians who care more about shielding Israel from criticism than protecting Americans' First Amendment right to speak their minds.

Badlands Media

Glenn Greenwald on X

Limited Coverage

This story currently has limited reporting from left-leaning sources. We will continue to monitor all major outlets and update our coverage as additional perspectives become available.