Meta, Google Online Child Safety Rules Advanced by House Panel
Summary
A key House committee has advanced a package of bills focused on enhancing children's online safety, signaling renewed momentum in the U.S. as global efforts intensify to establish stronger protections for minors on social media platforms.
Key Insights
What are KOSA and COPPA 2.0, and what do they require of online platforms?
The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) requires online platforms to implement the most protective safeguards by default for known minors, provide parental tools, prohibit advertising illegal products to minors, and submit audited reports to the FTC on minors' use, safeguards, and data practices. COPPA 2.0 amends the 1998 Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act to strengthen protections for minors' personal information, banning targeted advertising to children and teens.
What is the 'preemption clause' in these bills, and why is it controversial?
The preemption clause in bills like KOSA and COPPA 2.0 would override state laws with stronger online protections for minors than the federal standards. Democrats, including Rep. Kathy Castor and Rep. Frank Pallone, criticized it as 'unconscionable' for blocking superior state protections, leading to party-line votes.