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TERMS Act

USA119th CongressS-2010| Senate 
| Updated: 6/10/2025
Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz

Republican Senator

Texas

Cosponsors (9)
Roger Marshall (Republican)Katie Boyd Britt (Republican)Mike Lee (Republican)James E. Risch (Republican)Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican)Eric Schmitt (Republican)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Tom Cotton (Republican)Mike Crapo (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Transparency in Enforcement, Restricting, and Monitoring of Services Act, or TERMS Act, seeks to provide consumers and businesses with sufficient information about online service providers' standards and policies regarding account termination or suspension. The goal is to enable informed choices and foster a competitive marketplace by requiring greater transparency from providers of public-facing websites, online services, or applications that require user accounts. Online service providers will be required to publicly disclose an acceptable use policy within 180 days of the Act's enactment. This policy must clearly explain prohibited acts, enforcement methods (including third-party involvement), appeal processes (or lack thereof), and whether off-platform conduct can lead to restrictions. Material changes to these policies must be communicated to users in advance. Before restricting a user, providers must generally issue an advance written notice at least seven days prior, detailing the specific violation, how it breached the policy, and any appeal options. Exceptions to this notice requirement apply for court orders, federal law compliance, or to protect against imminent risks of death, serious injury, or health hazards. In such urgent cases, notice must be provided concurrently or as soon as practicable. Furthermore, online service providers must publish an annual report detailing actions taken to enforce their acceptable use policies. This report must include: The total number of potential violation alerts by source (e.g., user complaints, government entities). The number of instances where users were restricted, categorized by the type of restriction (e.g., termination, suspension, limited access). The exact policy provision violated and the source of the alert. The number of user appeals and how many resulted in a reversal of the decision. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcing this Act, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The FTC will also issue guidance to help online service providers comply with these new requirements.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4893
TERMS Act
Jun 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-3875
Introduced in House
Jun 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jun 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4893
    TERMS Act


  • June 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-3875
    Introduced in House


  • June 10, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 10, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Commerce

Related Bills

  • HR 119-3875: TERMS Act

TERMS Act

USA119th CongressS-2010| Senate 
| Updated: 6/10/2025
The Transparency in Enforcement, Restricting, and Monitoring of Services Act, or TERMS Act, seeks to provide consumers and businesses with sufficient information about online service providers' standards and policies regarding account termination or suspension. The goal is to enable informed choices and foster a competitive marketplace by requiring greater transparency from providers of public-facing websites, online services, or applications that require user accounts. Online service providers will be required to publicly disclose an acceptable use policy within 180 days of the Act's enactment. This policy must clearly explain prohibited acts, enforcement methods (including third-party involvement), appeal processes (or lack thereof), and whether off-platform conduct can lead to restrictions. Material changes to these policies must be communicated to users in advance. Before restricting a user, providers must generally issue an advance written notice at least seven days prior, detailing the specific violation, how it breached the policy, and any appeal options. Exceptions to this notice requirement apply for court orders, federal law compliance, or to protect against imminent risks of death, serious injury, or health hazards. In such urgent cases, notice must be provided concurrently or as soon as practicable. Furthermore, online service providers must publish an annual report detailing actions taken to enforce their acceptable use policies. This report must include: The total number of potential violation alerts by source (e.g., user complaints, government entities). The number of instances where users were restricted, categorized by the type of restriction (e.g., termination, suspension, limited access). The exact policy provision violated and the source of the alert. The number of user appeals and how many resulted in a reversal of the decision. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is responsible for enforcing this Act, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices. The FTC will also issue guidance to help online service providers comply with these new requirements.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-4893
TERMS Act
Jun 10, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-3875
Introduced in House
Jun 10, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jun 10, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-4893
    TERMS Act


  • June 10, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-3875
    Introduced in House


  • June 10, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 10, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Ted Cruz

Ted Cruz

Republican Senator

Texas

Cosponsors (9)
Roger Marshall (Republican)Katie Boyd Britt (Republican)Mike Lee (Republican)James E. Risch (Republican)Cynthia M. Lummis (Republican)Eric Schmitt (Republican)Marsha Blackburn (Republican)Tom Cotton (Republican)Mike Crapo (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Commerce

Related Bills

  • HR 119-3875: TERMS Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted