SCREEN Act

This bill aims to protect minors from online content deemed harmful by requiring certain interactive computer services to implement age verification technologies. It defines a "covered platform" as an interactive computer service engaged in commerce that regularly creates, hosts, or makes available content "harmful to minors" for profit. Content is considered harmful to minors if, taken as a whole, it appeals to prurient interest, depicts sexual acts in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors, or if it is obscene or child pornography. Beginning one year after enactment, covered platforms must adopt and utilize technology verification measures to ensure users are not minors and prevent them from accessing harmful content. These measures must actively verify a user's age, not merely rely on self-confirmation, and apply to users' IP addresses, including virtual private networks, unless the user is determined to be outside the United States. Platforms have flexibility in choosing specific verification technologies, provided they meet these requirements, and while third-party services can be used, the platform remains fully responsible for compliance. The bill mandates that covered platforms establish and maintain reasonable data security to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and accessibility of technology verification measure data, retaining it only as long as necessary for verification or compliance. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcing these provisions, conducting regular audits, and issuing guidance to assist platforms. In its enforcement efforts, the FTC must consult with experts in computer science, child safety, consumer protection, verification technology, and data security. Violations of these requirements will be treated as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act.