Social media platforms and online marketplaces would have to publish plain-language terms of service, post detailed consumer protection policies, and run a written consumer-protection program under this House bill. Platforms with more than $250,000 in annual revenue or 10,000 average monthly users would file annual disclosures with the Federal Trade Commission, name a consumer-protection officer reporting to the CEO, and certify the filings personally. Violations would be treated as unfair or deceptive practices the FTC can enforce, and individuals could sue for actual damages, attorney's fees, and equitable relief. Pre-dispute arbitration clauses and class-action waivers would be unenforceable for these claims. Crucially, Section 230 of the Communications Act would not apply to violations of this Act, allowing platforms to be sued directly over their handling of these terms. State attorneys general could also bring civil actions, and the bill does not preempt state or local consumer protection laws.
Corporate Benefits
- platform compliance obligations — written program, officer, annual FTC filings required
- platform legal exposure — Section 230 immunity removed for violations of this Act
Average Household Impact
- consumer remedies — private right of action with actual damages and attorney's fees added
- cyber harassment disclosures — platforms must describe tools and support available
- forced arbitration — pre-dispute arbitration and class waivers unenforceable for Act claims
Civil Liberties
- content moderation disclosure requirements — platforms must publish rules for removal and appeals
- state and FTC enforcement reach over hosted speech — tied to terms-of-service compliance
Transparency & Accountability
- annual FTC filings — required from covered platforms, publicly posted
- officer certification — CEO and consumer-protection officer must personally attest
Congressional Summary
Online Consumer Protection ActThis bill requires social media platforms and online marketplaces to establish, maintain, and disclose terms of service that include a consumer protection policy.The terms must cover issues such as payment methods, content ownership, and policies related to sharing user content with third parties.Further, the consumer protection policy must address what content or products are permitted on the platform or marketplace and how content or products may be blocked, removed, or modified. The policy for social media platforms also must describe the tools and support available to users who have experienced cyber harassment.Social media platforms and online marketplaces must develop and implement a consumer protection program to maintain compliance with the terms of service, consumer protection policies, and consumer protection laws. Platforms and marketplaces with annual revenues that exceeded $250,000 in the prior year or more than 10,000 active monthly users on average in the prior year also must submit to the Federal Trade Commission annual filings with respect to the requirements of this bill.The bill provides for enforcement by the commission, state attorneys general, and private civil action.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- House
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in House
- Action Date
- 2025-04-10
- Date Added
- 2026-05-15
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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