A new bill introduced in the Senate aims to establish a federal agency responsible for monitoring and policing Americans’ speech on digital platforms. The legislation, known as the Digital Platform Commission Act (DPCA), was put forward by Colorado Senator Michael Bennet to fight “hate speech” and “misinformation.”
According to Senator Bennet, the bill seeks to create an expert federal body that would enforce regulations on digital platforms, safeguard consumers, promote fair competition, and protect the public interest.
The proposed Federal Digital Platform Commission would be endowed with the authority, jurisdiction, and necessary tools to develop and enforce regulations in the digital sphere. Senator Bennet argued that digital platforms have operated without adequate oversight for too long, resulting in adverse effects ranging from the impact on mental health to the proliferation of disinformation and anti-competitive practices that harm small businesses.
The senator emphasized the need for comprehensive regulation, stating that the immense power wielded by tech companies necessitates a thoughtful approach to governing their activities.
“The new Federal Digital Platform Commission would have the mandate, jurisdiction, and broad set of tools to develop and enforce thoughtful guardrails for a sector that has been left for too long to write its own rules, with serious consequences for everything from teen mental health to disinformation to anticompetitve practices that have hurt small businesses,” Bennet argued.
🚨 A new bill wants to empower a new federal agency to create a council that establishes “enforceable behavioral codes” on social media platforms and AI. The council will include “disinformation” experts. pic.twitter.com/m9MdSl9kda— Reclaim The Net (@ReclaimTheNetHQ) May 18, 2023
“As a country, we should take pride that most of the world’s leading tech companies were founded in America. But they aren’t start-ups anymore. Today they rank among the most powerful companies in human history. It’s past time for a thoughtful and comprehensive approach to regulating digital platforms that have amassed extraordinary power over our economy, society, and democracy,” he argued.
“We don’t have to choose between letting digital platforms write their own rules, allowing competitors like China and the E.U. write those rules, or leaving it to politicians in Congress. We should follow the long precedent in American history of empowering an expert body to protect the public interest through common sense rules and oversight for complex and powerful sectors of the economy.” Bennet continued.
Under the Digital Platform Commission Act, the Federal Digital Platform Commission would consist of five commissioners appointed by the president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate. These commissioners would possess expertise in relevant fields such as computer science, software development, and technology policy.
In addition, the Commission’s broad mandate would also encompass the promotion of public interest, including consumer protection, competition promotion, and ensuring algorithmic fairness and safety on digital platforms.
The proposed legislation grants the Commission the authority to establish rules, impose civil penalties, hold hearings, conduct investigations, and support research. Additionally, it could identify “systemically important digital platforms” subject to enhanced oversight, regulation, and merger review.
