The Trump administration has formally asked the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to develop regulations that could apply to Facebook, Twitter and other such platforms.
It's a key step toward President Donald Trump fulfilling his executive order to regulate social media.
The order asks the FCC to clarify a section of law that has shielded tech companies from much litigation over internet content since 1996.
The FCC — which is reviewing the Administration's petition — now has to decide whether to agree with the president's call for oversight or not.
Legal experts say the agency has traditionally avoided regulating internet companies in the past.