I 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6937 
To require the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study on artificial 
intelligence, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 19, 2020 
Mr. GUTHRIE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To require the Federal Trade Commission to conduct a study 
on artificial intelligence, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Countering Online 
Harms Act’’. 
SEC. 2. ONLINE HARMS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE 
STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) STUDY REQUIRED.—Not later than 2 years 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
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Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission shall 
conduct a study on how artificial intelligence may be 
used to address the online harms described in para-
graph (2). 
(2) REQUIREMENTS
FOR
STUDY.—In con-
ducting the study, the Commission shall consider 
whether and how artificial intelligence may be used 
to identify, remove, or take any other appropriate 
action necessary to address the following online 
harms: 
(A) Deceptive and fraudulent content in-
tended to scam or otherwise harm individuals, 
including such practices directed at senior citi-
zens. 
(B) Manipulated content intended to mis-
lead individuals, including deepfake videos and 
fake individual reviews. 
(C) Website or mobile application inter-
faces designed to intentionally mislead or ex-
ploit individuals. 
(D) Illegal content online, including the 
sale of illegal opioids, child sexual exploitation 
and abuse, revenge pornography, harassment, 
cyberstalking, hate crimes, and incitement of vi-
olence. 
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(E) Terrorist and violent extremists’ abuse 
of digital platforms, including the use of such 
platforms to promote themselves, share propa-
ganda, and glorify real-world acts of violence. 
(F) Disinformation campaigns coordinated 
by inauthentic accounts or individuals to influ-
ence United States elections. 
(G) The sale of counterfeit products. 
(b) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later than 6 
months after the completion of the study required pursu-
ant to subsection (a), the Chairman shall submit to the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that 
contains— 
(1) the results of the study conducted under 
subsection (a); and 
(2) based on such results, the following: 
(A) Recommendations on how artificial in-
telligence may be used to address the online 
harms described in subsection (a)(2). 
(B) Recommendations on what reasonable 
policies, practices, and procedures may be im-
plemented to utilize artificial intelligence to ad-
dress such online harms. 
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(C) Recommendations for legislation that 
may advance the adoption and use of artificial 
intelligence to address such online harms. 
Æ 
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