Published March 4, 2024
A fresh legislative push to hold tech giants accountable for child safety is gaining momentum on Capitol Hill – as public outrage grows over online sex predators and AI-generated “deepfake” nudes whose victims have included Taylor Swift.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) is among those calling for a total repeal of Section 230 – a longstanding, controversial law that shields social-media platforms from being sued for content that their users post. But industry insiders say another aggressive proposal, the Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA, is the best bet to actually become law.
The bipartisan bill would impose a legal “duty of care” on tech platforms to protect minors from dangers including harassment, bullying, anxiety and sex abuse – or face enforcement action by the Federal Trade Commission. KOSA is a virtual cinch for Senate approval, with a whopping 62 senators — including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) co-sponsoring the bill as of mid-February.
In a surprise twist, smaller social media platforms X and Snap have broken ranks to support KOSA. Microsoft, which does not operate a social media platform but is facing a looming regulatory crackdown on artificial intelligence, is also in favor of the bill.
“It’s a sign that the Kids Online Safety Act is moving,” one tech policy insider who requested anonymity told The Post. “It’s better to be on the side of kids than being seen against them in a battle they probably lost already.”
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SOURCE: www.nypost.com
