Big Tech Accountability Act

This bill, titled the "Big Tech Accountability Act," seeks to enhance accountability for online platforms and internet service providers. Its primary objectives are to safeguard internet users, voters, and the broader community from the dangers of widespread disinformation and the amplification of violence. Furthermore, it aims to protect online personal privacy and autonomy against commercial exploitation. The legislation introduces new criminal offenses under Title 18 of the U.S. Code. It criminalizes knowingly conveying or disseminating fraudulent civic misinformation pertaining to essential government services, such as public health, voting, and elections, with the intent for others to rely on it. Additionally, it establishes criminal liability for individuals and publishing entities that knowingly disseminate or amplify communications encouraging violence, especially through individualized targeting . For both fraudulent civic misinformation and encouragement of violence, "publishing entities" – a broad term encompassing interactive computer services and online platforms – can be held liable if they aid in dissemination or use individualized targeting . This targeting involves computational processes, like algorithms, that select subsets of users based on personal information to display, highlight, or make content more prominent. Penalties for these criminal offenses include fines and imprisonment. The bill also provides for civil enforcement by the Attorney General, allowing for substantial civil penalties and injunctive relief, alongside a private right of action for individuals harmed by such conduct. Crucially, it amends Section 230 of the Communications Act, modifying the immunity traditionally granted to interactive computer services. Platforms can now be held liable as publishers if they engage in targeting content dissemination, act knowingly or negligently in spreading misinformation or violence, or financially benefit from amplifying such harmful content. A significant provision prohibits "covered online platforms" from engaging in targeted online advertising to individuals or specific groups based on any personal information, particularly when a fee is involved. This section includes a private right of action for individuals to seek damages for violations and invalidates pre-dispute arbitration agreements. Finally, the bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to develop recommendations for legislation within 120 days to restrict the collection, aggregation, and sale of online personal information without genuine, informed, and meaningful consent , explicitly stating that blanket consent is insufficient.