Problems prompted by social media got a spotlight during the recent AI Summit in Salt Lake City, and now a Utah representative wants to hold social media companies accountable.
U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy, along with Maryland Rep. April McClain Delaney, have introduced the Algorithm Accountability Act, which targets companies for harms caused by content pushed through their algorithms. The bill modernizes Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and establishes a duty of care for platforms that design and deploy algorithms capable of amplifying dangerous or harmful content.
Under the Algorithm Accountability Act, social media companies must responsibly design, train, test, deploy and maintain their algorithmic systems in ways that prevent foreseeable bodily injury or death. The legislation also grants individuals a civil right of action in federal court when platforms negligently expose users to harmful or radicalizing content.
“As a family doctor, I’ve seen how today’s online environment can overwhelm my patients and contribute to serious challenges,” Kennedy said. “Social media companies have built powerful algorithms that prioritize engagement and profit, too often overlooking their role in amplifying dangerous content. The Algorithm Accountability Act is a responsible step that establishes a clear duty of care for these platforms, ensuring they are accountable for preventing foreseeable harm caused by their algorithmic feeds.”
U.S. Sen. John Curtis noted that Section 230 was written nearly 30 years ago “for a very different Internet.”
“What began as a commonsense protection for a fledgling industry has grown into a blanket immunity shield for some of the most powerful companies on the planet — companies that intentionally design algorithms that exploit user behavior, amplify dangerous content, and keep people online at any cost. Our bill will hold them accountable.”
Gov. Spencer Cox supports the bill, saying the nation needs a standard for accountability and added that the challenges of protecting children from the woes of social media “don’t stop at state lines.”
“By establishing a duty of care for social media platforms, this bill will help protect families across the country from the deceptive and addictive algorithmic designs that put profit above people,” Cox said. “It’s time for Congress to act.”
“Big Tech has made billions off algorithms that hook our children and harm their mental health,” said Utah Attorney General Derek Brown. “This legislation will help us better protect kids while also upholding our sacred right to free speech. I commend Rep. Kennedy for sponsoring a bill that puts families first, holds platforms accountable, and preserves states’ sovereign rights.”