In Addition to COPPA and KOSA for Child Safety Bills

In the digital era, the safety of children on the internet has become a paramount concern, prompting significant legislative and policy-driven conversations. The recent move by the US Senate Judiciary Committee to summon top tech CEOs for a hearing on their platforms' child safety measures highlights the urgency and complexity of this issue. This content brief will delve into the key aspects of this development, shedding light on the responsibilities of tech companies, the role of the judiciary, and the potential implications for internet safety protocols.

Kids Online Safety Act - S.1409: Protecting Our Children in the Digital Age

In an age where children are growing up with smartphones and social media accounts, their online safety has become a paramount concern for parents, lawmakers, and society as a whole. The Kids Online Safety Act, or KOSA S.1409, is a legislative initiative that aims to address these concerns head-on.

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Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA): A Comprehensive Guide

The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a critical piece of legislation that was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 2000. The primary aim of COPPA is to address concerns about children’s access to obscene or harmful content over the Internet. Ensuring Child Safety Online: Tech CEOs Face

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• The STOP CSAM Act: This bill would allow victims of online sexual exploitation to sue social media platforms that promoted or facilitated the abuse, make it easier for victims to ask tech companies to remove child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and strengthen the CyberTipline reporting requirements. The bill advanced to the Senate by Unanimous Consent on May 11, 2023.

Snapchat’s Privacy Concerns and CSAM Issues Since 2010

Introduction Snapchat, a popular social media app known for its ephemeral messaging feature, has faced significant scrutiny over privacy concerns and child sexual abuse material (CSAM) issues dating back to 2010. Central to the controversy is the claim that Snapchat never actually deleted videos, contrary to its user privacy promises,

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Apple’s Evolving Approach to Combatting Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)

June 2021: Initial Announcement to Scan iCloud Photos for CSAM In June 2021, Apple took a significant step in its fight against child sexual abuse material (CSAM) by announcing plans to scan iCloud Photos. The tech giant intended to implement technology that would detect known CSAM images stored in iCloud

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• The EARN IT Act: The Eliminating Abusive and Rampant Neglect of Interactive Technologies Act (EARN IT Act) would establish a “National Commission on Online Child Sexual Exploitation Prevention” and amend Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act to narrow the liability protection it affords platforms for claims related to CSAM. Several versions of this bill have been introduced by the Senate Judiciary Committee going back to 2020, all passing the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously; the amended 2023 version advanced on May 5, 2023.
• The SHIELD Act: The Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution (SHIELD) Act would establish federal criminal liability for both individuals who distribute “intimate visual depictions,” or nudes, without a person’s consent, and fill in gaps in existing law to prosecute persons sharing explicit images of children. The bill was approved by voice vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 11, 2023.
• The Project Safe Childhood Act: This bill modernizes the investigation and prosecution of online child exploitation crimes, allowing federal prosecutors and law enforcement to work together using new technology to quickly rescue child victims and arrest offenders. The bill passed the Senate on Oct. 24, 2023,, but presently there is no companion bill in the House.
• The REPORT Act: This bill makes changes to rules governing the reporting of crimes involving the online sexual exploitation of children by requiring electronic communication service providers to submit reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) when they become aware of violations. It also extends the time providers must preserve the contents of reports from 90 days to one year, increases statutory penalties for knowing and willfully failing to report CSAM, and expands reporting duties to include child sex trafficking and coercion and enticement of minors. The REPORT Act passed the full Senate on Dec. 14, 2023, but presently there is no companion in the House.

Backgrounder: US Senate Judiciary Committee to Grill Tech CEOs on Child Safety | TechPolicy.Press

CEOs from Discord, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter), will head to Capitol Hill later this month to testify about their platforms’ efforts to protect children, writes Gabby Miller.

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Ensuring Child Safety Online: Tech CEOs Face Senate Judiciary Committee

In today’s digital age, where children are increasingly exposed to the online world, ensuring their safety on social media platforms has become a paramount concern. The United States Senate Judiciary Committee has taken a significant step in addressing this issue by summoning CEOs from major tech giants, including Discord, Meta,

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The Call to Action: Senate Judiciary Committee's Stand on Child Safety

The US Senate Judiciary Committee's decision to hold a hearing with tech CEOs signifies a critical step towards addressing the growing concerns around child safety online. This move underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between policymakers and tech companies in creating a secure digital environment for the younger generation.

Tech Giants Under Scrutiny: The Accountability of Platforms

Tech companies like Discord, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) find themselves at the forefront of this discussion, being asked to account for their platforms' safety measures. The hearing aims to dissect and evaluate the effectiveness of existing protocols and explore the need for more stringent policies to protect young users from potential online hazards.

Navigating the Digital Dilemma: Balancing Innovation and Safety

While the digital age offers unprecedented opportunities for learning and connection, it also poses unique challenges in terms of content moderation, data privacy, and user protection. The hearing is expected to delve into the delicate balance between fostering technological innovation and ensuring a safe online space for children.

The Road Ahead: Anticipated Outcomes and Industry Repercussions

The outcomes of this hearing could be instrumental in shaping the future landscape of online child safety. Potential regulatory changes, enhanced safety features, and stronger collaboration between tech companies and child protection advocates are on the horizon, setting a new standard for the digital well-being of minors.