**Trump Selects Brendan Carr as FCC Chair, Signaling Potential Major Policy Shifts**

In a significant move, President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Brendan Carr to be the next chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Carr, a senior Republican and FCC veteran, has been with the commission since 2012 and is known for his detailed work within the FCC and his contributions to Project 2025—a conservative policy guide that has sparked debate for its controversial proposals.

Trump praised Carr in his announcement on Truth Social, calling him a "warrior for Free Speech." He emphasized that Carr would "end the regulatory onslaught that has been crippling America's Job Creators and Innovators" and ensure that the FCC prioritizes rural America. Carr expressed his gratitude for the nomination on X, stating he is "humbled and honored to serve as Chairman of the FCC."

Pending Senate approval, Carr's leadership could usher in substantial changes, especially in the realm of Big Tech regulation. In Project 2025, Carr outlined ambitious plans to curb the influence of major tech firms. He argued that these corporations, by leveraging their market dominance, pose threats to individual liberties, particularly in limiting political viewpoints.

Central to his proposals is a revision of Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934. This provision currently shields online service providers from being held liable for user-generated content while permitting them to censor inappropriate material. Carr advocates for narrowing these protections, suggesting that Big Tech should only have immune from being forced to remove content, rather than having broad censorship powers.

Carr also suggested implementing new antidiscrimination rules to protect users from content censorship, excluding illegal content like child exploitation materials. He believes consumers should have the ability to select their own fact-checkers and filters and called for Big Tech companies to disclose their traffic and monetization algorithms to bring greater transparency.

Another key component of Carr's vision involves significant contributions from Big Tech firms to the Universal Service Fund, a funding program aimed at expanding telecommunications access to underserved communities. Additionally, Carr called for measures to further separate U.S. tech industries from Chinese influence, proposing a series of national security-driven actions, including a potential ban on TikTok and stringent regulations on foreign tech company transactions with adverse governments.

Carr's proposed reforms also advocate for channeling $3 billion in federal funds to help companies replace Chinese tech, enhancing accountability in federal tech initiatives, and accelerating 5G infrastructure development in the U.S.

If confirmed, Brendan Carr's tenure as FCC chair could herald a transformative period, particularly in how the commission deals with tech giants and international tech policies.