Results for: Social Media Regulation

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has approved a bill aimed at regulating how online social media platforms interact with children, despite concerns that its provisions are similar to those in state laws being blocked in federal courts or before the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill, which passed nearly along party lines, would require social media platforms to allow users to report “hateful conduct,” get parental consent from users under 18, and prohibit “data mining” of users under 18. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Republican-controlled state Senate, and the nation’s highest court may soon decide whether state-level provisions like the ones in the bill can be enforced.

As global elections intensify, the Oversight Board, an independent body of experts in human rights and freedom of expression, has sounded the alarm on the elevated risks of election-related violence, suppression of critical speech, and the proliferation of fake news and deepfakes. The Board’s analysis of election-related cases led to the identification of nine key lessons, emphasizing the crucial role of social media platforms in promoting election integrity and safeguarding free speech. The guidelines advocate for comprehensive labeling of AI-generated content, swift escalation of potentially harmful content to human review, and strict penalties for repeat offenders.

A bipartisan consensus has emerged in America, with 78% of adults recognizing the excessive influence wielded by social media companies in the political realm. This widespread concern has spurred bipartisan efforts to hold these platforms accountable. Senators Blackburn and Blumenthal have proposed the Kids Online Safety Act, while Senators Graham and Warren have partnered on a bill to oversee big tech with a commission. Americans’ apprehensions stem from recent events, including the Capitol attack and subsequent platform bans for political figures. While conservative and liberal views differ on perceived bias, a large majority (84%) believe tech companies should be regulated at current or higher levels.

President Joe Biden has signed a bill mandating ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, to sell the platform to a US company within nine months. The ban aims to address concerns about user data privacy and potential access to information by Chinese authorities. If a sale is not completed within this timeframe, TikTok will face a ban in the US. However, the timeline could be extended due to court challenges.

The British Columbia government has placed its proposed online harms legislation on hold following an agreement with prominent social media platforms, including Meta, TikTok, X, and Snapchat. This agreement aims to enhance online safety through the establishment of an online safety action table where parties will collaborate on measures to protect individuals from online hazards.

The European Commission is scrutinizing the impact of TikTok Lite’s rewards program on users’ mental health, especially children. TikTok has submitted a risk assessment report, which will be reviewed by the Commission. Concerns about the rewards scheme stem from its potential to promote excessive app usage and negative psychological outcomes. The Commission has also launched an investigation to assess TikTok’s compliance with the Digital Services Act.

The Senate is set to vote on Tuesday on a $95 billion war aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, following approval by the House of Representatives. The package includes $61 billion for Ukraine, which is facing ongoing Russian aggression, as well as $26 billion for Israel and $8 billion for Taiwan. The aid package has faced some opposition from conservatives, but is expected to pass with broad congressional support.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has accused Elon Musk of prioritizing the retention of violent content on his platform. This conflict arose after an Australian court ordered X to conceal posts related to the stabbing of a Sydney bishop, igniting a dispute between Musk and the Australian government. Albanese denounced Musk as an “arrogant billionaire” for opposing the government’s request to remove the content.

In private meetings, Oracle executives discussed data storage arrangements for TikTok with Senate aides. The House had already passed a bill potentially banning the app, prompting concerns for Oracle, its data center provider. Oracle claims to have only provided technical guidance to lawmakers, despite the potential financial impact of a ban on TikTok.

The European Union (EU) has launched a formal investigation into TikTok Lite, a rewards-based video-viewing app, due to concerns over potential risks to children. The EU demands more information from TikTok about the app’s compliance with the Digital Services Act (DSA) and has warned of suspending addictive features. The Commission is worried about the app’s endless stream of videos and addictive design features without proper risk assessment.