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S. 3127 · 115th Congress

Bot Disclosure and Accountability Act of 2018

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IntroducedPassed one chamberPassed both chambersBecame law (gold)Resolution agreed to (full, dark)Failed or vetoed (gray)

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Never voted on. It didn't reach a floor vote before the 115th Congress ended, so it expired. A bill has to be introduced again to be considered in a new Congress.

No cosponsors.

This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate regulations to require social media providers to establish and implement policies and procedures to require their user to publicly disclose the use of any automated software program or process intended to impersonate or replicate human activity online.

What it does: CRS summary · Introduced in Senate · Jun 25, 2018

Bot Disclosure and Accountability Act of 2018

This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to promulgate regulations to require social media providers to establish and implement policies and procedures to require their user to publicly disclose the use of any automated software program or process intended to impersonate or replicate human activity online. A violation of such regulations shall be treated as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the Federal Trade Commission Act.

The bill amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit a candidate or political party from: (1) using any automated software programs or processes intended to impersonate or replicate human activity online to make, amplify, share, or otherwise disseminate any public communication; or (2) soliciting, accepting, purchasing, or selling any automated software programs or processes intended to impersonate or replicate human activity online for any purpose.

No political committee, corporation, or labor organization may: (1) use or cause to be used any automated software programs or processes intended to impersonate or replicate human activity online to disseminate any message that expressly advocates for the election or defeat of a candidate; or (2) solicit, accept, purchase or sell any such programs or processes for any such purpose. This prohibition shall not apply to internal or administrative systems not oriented or accessible to the public.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov

About this bill and sources

Official title: Bot Disclosure and Accountability Act of 2018

Latest action (Jun 25, 2018): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications · Origin: Senate · Introduced: Jun 25, 2018

Official page on Congress.gov · Bill text (GovInfo) · Status record (XML)

No recorded floor vote found.