Biased Algorithm Deterrence Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-492
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Gohmert, Louie [R-TX-1]
Introduced: 2019-01-11
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Computers and information technology

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media
Latest action: action_date: 2019-01-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-01-11
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Biased Algorithm Deterrence Act of 2019</b></p> <p>This bill provides that an owner or operator of a social media service shall be treated as a publisher or speaker of user-generated content (and, therefore,&nbsp;may potentially be held liable with respect to such&nbsp;content)&nbsp;if&nbsp; the service or its algorithm&nbsp;does any of the following:</p> <ul> <li>displays user-generated content in an order that is not chronological; </li> <li>delays the display of such content relative to other content; or </li> <li>hinders the display of such&nbsp;content for reasons other than to carry out the user's direction or to restrict material that the provider or user considers obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable. </li></ul>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 492 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 11, 2019 Mr. Gohmert introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide that an owner or operator of a social media service that hinders the display of user-generated content shall be treated as a publisher or speaker of such content, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Biased Algorithm Deterrence Act of 2019 . 2. Exception to protection from treatment as publisher or speaker Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 ( 47 U.S.C. 230 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (c), by adding at the end the following: (3) Exception (A) In general Notwithstanding paragraph (1), an owner or operator of a social media service that displays user-generated content in an order other than chronological order, delays the display of such content relative to other content, or otherwise hinders the display of such content relative to other content, if for a reason other than to restrict access to or availability of material described in paragraph (2)(A) or to carry out the direction of the user that generated such content, shall be treated as a publisher or speaker of such content. (B) Use of algorithms If an algorithm of a social media service is used to engage in an action related to user-generated content that is described in subparagraph (A), such action shall be considered to be the action of the owner or operator of the social media service. ; and (2) in subsection (f), by adding at the end the following: (5) Social media service The term social media service means any interactive computer service provided over the internet that connects users for the purpose of such users engaging in dialogue, sharing information, collaborating, or otherwise interacting. (6) User-generated content The term user-generated content means content that is supplied on a social media service by an information content provider who is a user of such service. (7) Algorithm The term algorithm means a computer program that performs any action described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (4). .