Thune, Moran, Blackburn sponsor Filter Bubble Transparency Act

U.S. Sens. John Thune (R-SD), Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) on June 10 introduced bipartisan legislation that would increase internet platform transparency. 

The Filter Bubble Transparency Act, S. 2024, which was unveiled by bill sponsor Sen. Thune and original cosponsors including Sens. Moran, Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), would require that internet platforms give users the option to engage with a platform without being manipulated by algorithms driven by user-specific data, according to the text of the bill.

“The more transparency consumers have with respect to how social media and other internet platforms prioritize content on their services, the better,” said Thune, ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband. “This legislation helps consumers better understand how algorithms are used to select content in their ‘feed’ and gives users more control over what information they are digesting.”

Under the legislation, large-scale internet platforms that collect data from more than one million users and gross more than $50 million per year would be required to provide greater transparency to consumers and allow users to view content that has not been curated as a result of a secret algorithm, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

“In an increasingly complex tech economy, consumers want to know what personal information about them is being collected and how it is being processed and repurposed,” Sen. Moran said. 

If enacted, S. 2024 would require large-scale internet platforms to clearly notify its users that its platform creates a filter bubble that uses secret algorithms (computer-generated filters) to determine the order or manner in which information is delivered to users; and provide its users with the option of a filter bubble-free view of the information they provide, according to the bill summary.  

“Big Tech’s tight grip over what we hear, say and see online is incredibly concerning,” said Sen. Blackburn. “With much of our work, school and personal lives transitioning to online platforms, our digital landscape must be driven by consumer choice. The Filter Bubble Transparency Act will empower users to choose what they want to see when they want to see it.”

The bill also would make it unlawful for any person to operate a covered internet platform that uses a secret algorithm unless the platform complies with specific requirements, among other provisions, the summary says.

The measure has been referred to the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee for consideration.