WASHINGTON, DC – Today, The Tech Oversight Project applauded House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D-NJ) for promising a markup of the bipartisan Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA, H.R. 7891), led by Subcommittee Chair Rep. Bilirakis (R-FL) and Representatives Kathy Castor (D-FL), Erin Houchin (R-IN), Kim Schrier (D-WA), and Larry Bucshon (R-IN).
“We thank Ranking Member Pallone for his promise to grieving parents who have learned what no parent should ever have to: social media platforms knowingly endangered young people and chose to put profits over children’s health and well-being,” said Sacha Haworth, Executive Director of the Tech Oversight Project. “Congress needs to act fast and pass KOSA because it will save lives. This bipartisan and bicameral legislation takes the right approach by putting the onus on massive social media platforms to put in safeguards that protect kids who use their products and services – just like other industries that market to children – rather than squarely blaming parents for algorithms that are designed to prey on their developing minds.”
Recent Developments:
- The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce passed KOSA out of the subcommittee on a voice vote, and the bipartisan bill is awaiting full action from the committee.
- Parents, health professionals, and advocates continued making their voices heard by calling on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to quickly markup KOSA as soon as possible. Yesterday’s markup is a positive step forward in protecting children and putting the onus on social media platforms to develop safe products and algorithms.
- Meanwhile, pressure continues to mount on the Senate. Politico reported that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has promised grieving parents that he would hold a vote for the filibuster-proof Senate version of the bill within the coming weeks.
- In April, the House version of KOSA was introduced – making the legislation bipartisan and bicameral.