Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) has introduced bipartisan legislation that holds social media companies accountable for harm caused by algorithmic feeds. The bill also updates online safety protections.
Specifically, the Algorithm Accountability Act amends Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to impose a duty of care on social media companies, requiring these firms to take greater care in designing, testing, and training their algorithms.
In addition, injured individuals have a clear civil right of action to seek relief in federal court via lawsuits.
After all, platforms such as Meta (which owns Facebook and Instagram) have come under scrutiny for allegedly using algorithms intentionally designed to keep users addicted to their platforms.
"Too many families have been hurt by social media algorithms designed with one goal: make money by getting people hooked," said Sen. Kelly in a statement. "Over and over again, these companies refuse to take responsibility when their platforms contribute to violence, crime, or self-harm. We're going to change that and finally allow Americans to hold companies accountable."
Senator John Curtis (R-UT), the bill's cosponsor, further explained that "section 230 was written nearly 30 years ago for a very different internet."
"What began as a commonsense protection for a fledgling industry has grown into a blanket immunity shield for some of the most powerful companies on the planet," Sen. Curtis added. "Companies that intentionally design algorithms that exploit user behavior, amplify dangerous content, and keep people online at any cost. Our bill will hold them accountable."
At the beginning of November, Sen. Kelly urged Senate Special Committee on Aging Chair Rick Scott (R-FL) to hold a hearing on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on America's seniors.
For instance, AI chatbots have been found to be capable of creating scams targeting seniors, and a 76-year-old man named Thongbue Wongbandue of New Jersey was killed in an accident after another chatbot unintentionally convinced him it was a real woman living in New York City.
