Us Congress Senate Bill SB872

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/23
• Refer: 3/16/23

Caption

SAFETY on Social Media Act of 2023 Stopping Attempts by Foreign Entities to Target Youths on Social Media Act Act of 2023

Impact

The potential impacts of SB872 on state law and broader regulations are significant. By prioritizing the removal of foreign-controlled social media platforms, it enhances the government's ability to safeguard national security interests and mitigate foreign influence on American youth. This could result in changes to how social media platforms operate in the U.S., particularly those whose affiliations with foreign entities make them eligible for inclusion on the sanctioned list.

Summary

SB872, officially titled the 'Stopping Attempts by Foreign Entities to Target Youths on Social Media Act of 2023', aims to establish measures to protect American youths from social media entities that are under foreign influence. The bill requires the federal government to compile and maintain a list of such untrustworthy foreign social media applications and entities. It mandates stringent actions, including potential bans on these applications, to ensure that U.S. citizens, particularly those under 18, are shielded from harmful foreign content and manipulation.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB872 include concerns over the potential impacts on free speech, the broad definition of what constitutes a 'foreign entity of concern', and the operational implications for legitimate social media companies that may inadvertently fall under the bill's scope. Critics argue that the expansive reach of the bill might lead to unintended consequences, such as hindering access to diverse viewpoints and limiting platform options for users. There are also worries about how the regulations will be enforced and what penalties will be applied to violators, particularly regarding the blocking of access to websites and apps identified as problematic.