US Senate
Sens Blumenthal and Blackburn Announce Probe Into Facebook Coverup of its Platforms' Negative Impact on Teens and Children
Sens Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Chair and Ranking Member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, announced that their subcommittee would take additional steps to look into Facebook’s knowledge of its platforms’ negative impact on teenagers and young users. “It is clear that Facebook is incapable of holding itself accountable," the senators stated.
Sen Luján Introduces Legislation to Hold Tech Platforms Accountable for Algorithmic Promotion of Extremist Content
Sen Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced the Protecting Americans from Dangerous Algorithms Act (S.3029) to hold large social media companies accountable for using computer algorithms that promote harmful and dangerous content that leads to offline violence. Reps Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) and Anna G Eshoo (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the US House of Representatives.
Senators Introduce Legislation to Establish a National 6G Strategy to Improve Broadband Access
Sens Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and John Thune (R-SD) introduced a bipartisan bill to establish a national strategy based on an expert council to implement future telecommunications networks, including sixth generation (6G). The Next Generation Telecommunications Act (S.3014) would establish a group to advise Congress on the next generation of telecommunications services, including 6G and other wireless communications.
Sen Cortez Masto Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Support American Leadership in Innovation and Technology
Sens Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Steve Daines (R-MT) introduced the National Science, Innovation, and Technology Strategy Act (S.3015) to support US competitiveness in innovation and technology. The bipartisan legislation will ensure innovators and government agencies are working together to provide guidance on technological issues like artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, the digital divide in broadband, and smart communities.
Sen Blumenthal asks Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify about Instagram's impact on kids
Sen Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) urged Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to participate in a Congressional hearing on Instagram and its impact on kids in a letter October 20. The Chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Data Security cited the testimony of Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen and the Wall Street Journal's reports on Facebook as cause for the CEO's appearance before his subcommittee.
Lawmakers Ask FCC to Act on National Security Risks from Foreign Telecom Companies
Sens Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Edward J Markey (D-MA) wrote a letter urging the Federal Communications Commission to take action in response to national security risks posed by foreign companies that manage and service US wireless phone networks. Although the US government has responded forcefully to risks from Chinese hardware manufacturers, including Huawei and ZTE, it has not yet accounted for risks from foreign companies that operate or maintain US networks.
Senators Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Rein in Big Tech
Sens Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chairwoman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights, and Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced that they will introduce bipartisan legislation to restore competition online by establishing commonsense rules of the road for dominant digital platforms to prevent them from abusing their market power to harm competition, online businesses, and consumers. The American Innovation and Choice Online Act will:
Lawmakers Urge FTC to Use Authority to Make Tech Companies Abide by New Platform Policies
As major tech companies have announced policy changes intended to protect young users online in response to a new United Kingdom children’s privacy law, Sen Edward Markey (D-MA) and Reps Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Lori Trahan (D-MA) wrote to the Federal Trade Commission urging the agency to use its full authority—including its authority under Section 5 of the FTC Act—to ensure these companies comply with their new policies.
Lawmakers Reintroduce the Kids Internet Design and Safety Act
Sens Edward Markey (D-MA) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Rep Kathy Castor (D-FL) reintroduced the Kids Internet Design and Safety (KIDS) Act (S.2918) to stop online practices such as manipulative marketing, amplification of harmful content, and damaging design features, which threaten young people online.