Bots Research Act

Bill: 115-hr-7117
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-11]
Introduced: 2018-11-06
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations

Advisory bodies

Computer security and identity theft

Computers and information technology

Congressional oversight

Digital media

Elections, voting, political campaign regulation

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

First Amendment rights

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Government studies and investigations
Latest action: action_date: 2018-11-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Summaries:
action_date: 2018-11-06
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Bots Research Act</strong></p> <p>This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to establish a task force to study the impact of automated accounts on social media, public discourse, and elections.</p>

tv_txt: I 115th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7117 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 6, 2018 Mr. DeSaulnier introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To direct the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission to establish a task force for the purpose of studying the effects of automated accounts on social media, public discourse, and elections, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Bots Research Act . 2. Task Force (a) Establishment Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission shall establish a task force to carry out the study and submit a report as required under section 3. (b) Number and Appointment The task force shall be comprised of the following: (1) At least 1 expert representing the Government. (2) At least 1 expert representing academia. (3) At least 1 expert representing non-profit organizations. (4) At least 1 expert representing industry. (5) Any other expert that the Chairman determines appropriate. (c) Qualifications The Chairman shall select task force members to serve by virtue of their expertise in automation technology. (d) Deadline for Appointment Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chairman shall appoint the members of the task force. (e) Compensation Members of the task force shall serve without pay and shall not receive travel expenses. (f) Task Force Support The Chairman shall ensure appropriate staff and officials of the Federal Trade Commission are available to support any task force-related work. 3. Study and Report (a) Study The task force established in this Act shall conduct a study of the impact of automated accounts on social media, public discourse, and elections. Such study shall include an assessment of— (1) what qualifies as a bot or automated account; (2) the extent to which automated accounts are used; (3) how the automated accounts are used; and (4) how to most effectively combat any use of automated accounts that negatively effects social media, public discourse, and elections while continuing to promote the protection of the First Amendment on the internet. (b) Task Force Considerations In carrying out the requirements of this section, the task force shall consider, at a minimum— (1) the promotion of technological innovation; (2) the protection of First Amendment and other constitutional rights of social media users; (3) the need to improve cybersecurity to ensure the integrity of elections; and (4) the importance of continuously reviewing relevant regulations to ensure that such regulations respond effectively to changes in technology. (c) Report Not later than 1 year after the establishment of the task force, the task force shall develop and submit to Congress and relevant Federal agencies the results and conclusions of the study conducted under subsection (a).