Introduction
The CEOs of five major social media platforms, including Mark Zuckerberg of Meta and Linda Yaccarino of X, will face questioning from Congress on Wednesday regarding the prevalence of child sexual abuse material on their sites. Despite years of efforts to address this issue, Congress has struggled to pass effective legislation due to disagreements over security and privacy provisions and pushback from the tech industry. This article examines the upcoming hearing and the challenges faced in enacting meaningful change.
A History of Inaction
Despite numerous bills and high-profile hearings, Congress has only managed to pass one children's safety law related to online child sex trafficking in the past decade. The tech industry has consistently opposed further regulation, leading to a stalemate in Congress. Jim Steyer, CEO of Common Sense Media, the nation's largest kids' advocacy group, expressed disappointment in Congress's track record on this issue.
The CEOs in the Hot Seat
This hearing will mark Zuckerberg's eighth appearance before Congress, while TikTok's Shou Zi Chew will return following a lengthy grilling last year. It will also be the first time Yaccarino, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel, and Discord CEO Jason Citron appear before Congress, as they were subpoenaed to testify. All five platforms are widely used by teenagers, further highlighting the urgency of addressing child safety concerns.
Building Momentum for Change
The goal of this hearing is to generate support for a package of bills, including the STOP CSAM Act, which seeks to lift tech companies' legal protections and allow victims of child exploitation to sue them. Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin is a strong advocate for these bills and believes that a high-profile Senate hearing can make a difference. However, previous legislative efforts tied to tech hearings have consistently failed to gain traction.
Legislative Roadblocks
Several bills in Durbin's package have been introduced in previous Congresses but have not received floor votes. The EARN IT Act, proposed by Lindsey Graham, aims to curtail companies' liability shield if they host child sexual abuse material. Another bill, the Kids Online Safety Act, has moved out of the Senate Commerce Committee but has also not received a floor vote. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn, co-sponsors of the Kids Online Safety Act, are expected to use this hearing to advocate for their bill.
Industry Opposition and Signs of Change
The tech industry has long opposed increased regulation, but there are signs that some companies may be shifting their stance. Snap recently publicly supported the Kids Online Safety Act, becoming the first company to do so. This could put pressure on other platforms to follow suit. X, formerly known as Twitter, is actively engaged in conversations about the bill but has not yet endorsed it. The upcoming hearing may influence these companies' positions.
Internal Changes and Limited Legislative Opportunities
In anticipation of the hearing, several platforms have announced internal changes to enhance child safety measures. Meta plans to block suicide and eating disorder content from appearing in the feeds of teens, in line with the Kids Online Safety Act. Snap has expanded its in-app parental controls, and X is launching a new trust and safety center with content moderators focused on removing violative content. However, observers warn that the limited time before the election year may hinder the passage of these bills. NetChoice, the industry's main lobbying group, remains firmly opposed to the key bills under discussion.
The Challenges Ahead
Despite the urgency of addressing child safety concerns, passing effective legislation in an election year poses significant challenges. Senate action must occur before the end of July to have a chance at passing the bills, but support from the House is also necessary. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is waiting for more backing before taking action to move the bills to the floor. Durbin acknowledges the uphill battle and emphasizes the need for luck and support to push these bills forward.
Conclusion
The upcoming hearing with tech CEOs presents an opportunity to highlight the importance of child safety online. While past efforts have faced significant obstacles, there are indications that some companies may be more open to regulation. However, the limited legislative opportunities in an election year and industry opposition continue to pose challenges. It remains to be seen whether Congress can overcome these obstacles and pass meaningful legislation to protect children online.
—————————————————————————————————————————————
By: Rebecca Kern
Title: Congress Grills Tech CEOs Over Child Safety Concerns: Will It Lead to Real Change?
Sourced From: www.politico.com/news/2024/01/30/senate-zuckerberg-yaccarino-meta-tiktok-child-safety-00138454
Published Date: Tue, 30 Jan 2024 14:36:47 EST
Leave a Reply