HR1623-119

What This Bill Does

The SCREEN Act creates a federal age-verification regime for profitable interactive computer services that create, host, or make available content harmful to minors. Beginning one year after enactment, covered platforms must use technology verification measures to ensure users are not minors and to prevent minors from accessing harmful content. A self-attestation that the user is not a minor is not enough. Platforms must publicly describe their verification process and apply the verification measure to IP addresses, including known proxy network addresses, unless available technology shows the user is outside the United States. FTC must consult computer science and software engineers, online child safety experts, victim service providers, consumer protection and privacy experts, verification technology providers, data security experts, and cryptographers. FTC must audit covered platforms, publish audit terms, issue compliance guidance within 180 days, enforce violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices, and GAO must report after compliance begins on effectiveness, compliance rates, data security, behavioral and economic effects, and possible improvements.

Who Benefits and How

Minors benefit because covered platforms must block their access to visual content defined as harmful to minors. Parents benefit from a federal age-verification requirement instead of relying only on household filtering tools. Online child safety organizations benefit from FTC consultation and a federal enforcement structure. Age verification vendors benefit from demand for technology measures that satisfy the Act. The Federal Trade Commission benefits from audit, guidance, and enforcement authority over covered platforms.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Covered platforms must deploy age-verification technology, publish verification processes, and submit materials for FTC audits. Adult users may face privacy, data security, or access friction when proving age online. FTC staff must consult experts, conduct audits, issue guidance, and bring enforcement actions. GAO must study effectiveness, compliance rates, data security, and social or economic effects. Privacy advocates must monitor whether age-verification systems collect or expose sensitive identity data.

Key Provisions

• Requires covered platforms to use technology age-verification measures within one year.
• Prohibits self-attestation as sufficient proof that a user is not a minor.
• Directs FTC consultation with technology, child safety, privacy, data security, and cryptography experts.
• Requires FTC audits, guidance, and enforcement under unfair or deceptive acts or practices authority.
• Requires GAO reporting on effectiveness, compliance, data security, and broader effects.