Rep. Schakowsky, Rep. Castor Introduce Legislation to Hold Online Platforms Accountable

Representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) and Kathy Castor (D-FL) reintroduced the Online Consumer Protection Act (OCPA). This legislation addresses the shortcomings of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which, along with overly broad court rulings on it, have failed to hold online platforms accountable to consumers. Specifically, the OCPA would: 

• Require social media platforms and online marketplaces to establish, disclose, and maintain written terms of service. 
• Require social media platforms and online marketplaces to establish a consumer protection program. 
• Hold companies accountable when they fail consumers by directing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue rules under the APA to implement this Act and allows the FTC to seek civil penalties for violations of this Act. 
• Clarify Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to ensure it does not limit liability with respect to violations of this Act.