118th Congress Science, Technology, Communications
S. 921: DISCOURSE Act
Introduced
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- Passed House (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
This bill limits federal liability protections for a user or provider of an interactive computer service (e.g., a social media company) related to content provided by third parties. It also requires a provider that offers its service through a mass-market offering to the public to disclose information about its content moderation activities.
The bill removes liability protections (sometimes referred to as section 230 protection) for a provider with a dominant market share if the provider
- promotes or suppresses a viewpoint through its content moderation, including by affecting a content creator's revenue;
- uses automated processes (e.g., algorithms) to target and amplify content provided to a user who has not requested or searched for the content; or
- solicits, funds, modifies, or otherwise contributes to content.
Read the full summary
Currently, a provider retains liability protections even when it restricts access to materials that it considers objectionable. Under this bill, a provider retains protections if restricted materials fall, based on an objectively reasonable belief, into a prescribed list of harmful or unlawful categories.
Additionally, the liability protections shall not apply to providers that (1) restrict access to content in a manner that burdens the exercise of religion, or (2) fail to comply with an existing requirement to notify customers of options for limiting a minor's access to harmful online content (e.g., parental controls).
The bill also changes legal procedures related to the liability protections, including by specifying that the protection serves as an affirmative defense.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Mike Braun R-INOriginal
Who scored on this bill
No member has earned points from it yet.
See all scorers and every scoring event
Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
Other bills by Marco Rubio
- S. 50: Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act of 2024
- S. 2783: Miccosukee Reserved Area Amendments Act
- S. 3764: United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2024
- S. 1829: Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum Act of 2024
- S. 1881: Restoring Sovereignty and Human Rights in Nicaragua Act of 2024
- S. 2626: MAHSA Act
History
- Introduced in the Senate by Marco Rubio.
Show the full action history (2 actions)
- Introduced in Senate
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.