National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security Act

Bill: 116-hr-4782
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Introduced: 2019-10-22 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Subversive activities
Terrorism
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2019-10-22
text: 

National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security Act

 
This bill establishes the National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security to address content on online and social media platforms that implicates national security concerns.
 
Specifically, the commission shall identify, examine, and report on the ways online platforms have been used in furtherance or support of targeted violence or covert foreign state influence campaigns and how addressing such uses impacts users' free speech, privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. Consistent with these purposes, the commission must analyze (1) online platforms' responses to such usage; (2) the impacts of algorithms and automated decision-making systems on the rights and privacy of users; and (3) the extent to which online platforms have transparent, consistent, and equitable policies and procedures to address violations of platform rules.
 
The commission must then develop recommendations for how online platforms could address improper use through methods that are transparent and accountable while continuing to promote free speech and innovation on the internet and preserving individual privacy and civil rights.
 
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security must (1) research whether any connection exists between the use of online platforms and targeted violence; and (2) develop voluntary approaches that could be adopted by online platforms to address any correlations found while still preserving the individual privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties of users. 

action_date: 2020-12-21
text: 

National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security Act

 
This bill establishes the National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security to address content on online and social media platforms that implicates national security concerns.
 
Specifically, the commission shall identify, examine, and report on the ways online platforms have been used in furtherance or support of targeted violence or covert foreign state influence campaigns and how addressing such uses impacts users' free speech, privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. Consistent with these purposes, the commission must analyze (1) online platforms' responses to such usage; (2) the impacts of algorithms and automated decision-making systems; and (3) the extent to which online platforms have transparent, consistent, and equitable policies and procedures to address violations of platform rules.
 
The commission must then develop recommendations for how online platforms could address improper use through methods that are transparent and accountable while continuing to promote free speech and innovation on the internet and preserving individual privacy and civil rights.
 
Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security must (1) research whether any connection exists between the use of online platforms and targeted violence; and (2) develop voluntary approaches that could be adopted by online platforms to address any correlations found while still preserving the individual privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties of users. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-21
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 566.
action_date: 2020-12-21
text: Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
action_date: 2020-12-21
text: Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
action_date: 2020-12-21
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-683, Part I.
action_date: 2020-12-21
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-683, Part I.
action_date: 2019-10-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
action_date: 2019-10-23
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2019-10-23
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2019-10-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-10-22
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-10-22
text: Introduced in House