Legis Daily

Online Consumer Protection Act

USA119th CongressHR-2889| House 
| Updated: 4/10/2025
Janice D. Schakowsky

Janice D. Schakowsky

Democratic Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (1)
Kathy Castor (Democratic)

Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Online Consumer Protection Act" aims to bolster consumer safeguards by defining violations of certain terms of service as unfair or deceptive acts, subject to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforcement. It mandates that social media platforms and online marketplaces establish and maintain clear, publicly available terms of service and robust consumer protection programs. This legislation seeks to ensure greater transparency and accountability from these digital entities. Platforms must provide easily understood, machine-readable terms of service covering crucial areas like payment, content ownership, and third-party data sharing, alongside specific consumer protection policies . For social media, these policies detail content moderation, user appeals, and cyber harassment support. For online marketplaces, they cover product safety, fraud reporting, and user/seller remedies. The Act requires platforms to implement comprehensive consumer protection programs for compliance, risk mitigation, and employee training. Platforms exceeding certain thresholds must annually file detailed, certified reports with the FTC, overseen by a designated consumer protection officer. The FTC will also study and potentially mandate short-form disclosures for consumer practices. Violations will be treated as unfair or deceptive practices, empowering the FTC to enforce them with existing powers. A private right of action is established for individuals to seek damages, explicitly invalidating pre-dispute arbitration agreements and joint-action waivers. State Attorneys General are also authorized to bring civil actions. Significantly, the bill clarifies that Section 230 of the Communications Act will not apply to violations of this Act, removing a potential liability shield. It also ensures the Act does not preempt existing state or local consumer protection laws, allowing for broader consumer safeguards.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-6570
Online Consumer Protection Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3067
Online Consumer Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1090
Online Consumer Protection Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4887
Online Consumer Protection Act
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-6570
    Online Consumer Protection Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3067
    Online Consumer Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1090
    Online Consumer Protection Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4887
    Online Consumer Protection Act


  • April 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 10, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Commerce

Online Consumer Protection Act

USA119th CongressHR-2889| House 
| Updated: 4/10/2025
The "Online Consumer Protection Act" aims to bolster consumer safeguards by defining violations of certain terms of service as unfair or deceptive acts, subject to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforcement. It mandates that social media platforms and online marketplaces establish and maintain clear, publicly available terms of service and robust consumer protection programs. This legislation seeks to ensure greater transparency and accountability from these digital entities. Platforms must provide easily understood, machine-readable terms of service covering crucial areas like payment, content ownership, and third-party data sharing, alongside specific consumer protection policies . For social media, these policies detail content moderation, user appeals, and cyber harassment support. For online marketplaces, they cover product safety, fraud reporting, and user/seller remedies. The Act requires platforms to implement comprehensive consumer protection programs for compliance, risk mitigation, and employee training. Platforms exceeding certain thresholds must annually file detailed, certified reports with the FTC, overseen by a designated consumer protection officer. The FTC will also study and potentially mandate short-form disclosures for consumer practices. Violations will be treated as unfair or deceptive practices, empowering the FTC to enforce them with existing powers. A private right of action is established for individuals to seek damages, explicitly invalidating pre-dispute arbitration agreements and joint-action waivers. State Attorneys General are also authorized to bring civil actions. Significantly, the bill clarifies that Section 230 of the Communications Act will not apply to violations of this Act, removing a potential liability shield. It also ensures the Act does not preempt existing state or local consumer protection laws, allowing for broader consumer safeguards.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-6570
Online Consumer Protection Act of 2020

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3067
Online Consumer Protection Act

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-1090
Online Consumer Protection Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-4887
Online Consumer Protection Act
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 10, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-6570
    Online Consumer Protection Act of 2020


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3067
    Online Consumer Protection Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-1090
    Online Consumer Protection Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-4887
    Online Consumer Protection Act


  • April 10, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 10, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Janice D. Schakowsky

Janice D. Schakowsky

Democratic Representative

Illinois

Cosponsors (1)
Kathy Castor (Democratic)

Energy and Commerce Committee

Commerce

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted