To require online service providers to disclose their acceptable use policies, provide users with written notice before the termination of a user’s account, and publish an annual report detailing actions taken to enforce their acceptable use policies, and for other purposes.
Analysis under review: This bill has generated analysis that may be too generic or incomplete. Clause-level evidence remains available below.
Summary
This bill requires online platforms that have user accounts to publicly disclose their content moderation policies, give users at least 7 days written notice before terminating or suspending their accounts, and publish annual transparency reports detailing their enforcement actions. Platforms must explain exactly what rule a user violated and provide an appeal process. Users can opt to have their termination notice made public. The FTC would enforce the law, treating violations as unfair or deceptive trade practices. Emergency exceptions allow immediate action for court orders, federal law compliance, or imminent safety risks.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Requires online service providers to publicly disclose acceptable use policies, give users advance written notice before account termination or suspension, and publish annual transparency reports on enforcement actions, with FTC enforcement authority.
Who Benefits
- Online platform users facing account restrictions
- Consumers seeking transparency about platform rules
- Free speech advocates
Who Bears Costs
- Major online service providers (compliance costs for notice, appeals, reporting)
- Social media platforms
- Small online service providers (proportional compliance burden)
Key Policy Areas
{'domain': 'Technology', 'evidence': 'Regulates online service providers that require user accounts, covering websites, online services, and applications engaged in interstate commerce'}, {'domain': 'Consumer Protection', 'evidence': 'Mandates disclosure of content moderation standards, advance notice before account restrictions, and appeal processes for users'}, {'domain': 'Government Operations', 'evidence': 'Grants FTC enforcement authority treating violations as unfair or deceptive practices, including authority over nonprofits'}
Primary Purpose
Requires online service providers to publicly disclose acceptable use policies, give users advance written notice before account termination or suspension, and publish annual transparency reports on enforcement actions, with FTC enforcement authority.
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Creates transparency and procedural due process requirements for content moderation without dictating what content platforms must allow or disallow, focusing on process rather than substance"
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMr. Cruz (for himself, Mrs. Blackburn, Mrs. Britt, Mr. Cotton, …
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Content moderation teams, Online service providers, Online service providers (social media, SaaS, e-commerce)
Online platform users, Platform users, Platform users facing account restrictions
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "commission"
- → Federal Trade Commission
- "online_service_provider"
- → Provider of public-facing website/service/app requiring user accounts
- "online_service_provider"
- → Online service providers
- "online_service_provider"
- → Online service providers
- "online_service_provider"
- → Online service providers
- "commission"
- → Federal Trade Commission
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
Provider of a public-facing website, online service, or online application that requires unique accounts, provides internet-based products/services, and is engaged in interstate or foreign commerce
Termination or suspension of a user account, or limitation of access, based on determination that user violated acceptable use policy
Person who registers an account or creates a profile on an online service provider's platform
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology