Countering Online Harms Act

Bill: 116-hr-6937
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]
Introduced: 2020-05-19
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations

Age discrimination

Aging

Assault and harassment offenses

Congressional oversight

Consumer affairs

Crimes against children

Domestic violence and child abuse

Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Elections, voting, political campaign regulation

Fraud offenses and financial crimes

Government studies and investigations

Hate crimes

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

Political movements and philosophies

Pornography

Retail and wholesale trades

Sex offenses

Subversive activities

Terrorism

Violent crime
Latest action: action_date: 2020-05-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Summaries:
action_date: 2020-05-19
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Countering Online Harms Act</b><br /><br />This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission to study and report on how artificial intelligence may be used to identify, remove, and take action to address online harms, including&nbsp;(1) scams directed at older adults; (2) intentionally misleading content; (3) disinformation campaigns to influence elections; and (3) content furthering other illegal activity such as the sale of opioids, child sexual exploitation, terrorism, and the sale of counterfeit products.</p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6937 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.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Countering Online Harms Act . 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 Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission shall conduct a study on how artificial intelligence may be used to address the online harms described in paragraph (2). (2) Requirements for study In conducting 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 intended to scam or otherwise harm individuals, including such practices directed at senior citizens. (B) Manipulated content intended to mislead individuals, including deepfake videos and fake individual reviews. (C) Website or mobile application interfaces designed to intentionally mislead or exploit 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 violence. (E) Terrorist and violent extremists’ abuse of digital platforms, including the use of such platforms to promote themselves, share propaganda, and glorify real-world acts of violence. (F) Disinformation campaigns coordinated by inauthentic accounts or individuals to influence 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 pursuant 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 intelligence may be used to address the online harms described in subsection (a)(2). (B) Recommendations on what reasonable policies, practices, and procedures may be implemented to utilize artificial intelligence to address such online harms. (C) Recommendations for legislation that may advance the adoption and use of artificial intelligence to address such online harms.