Bill Overview
Title: Increasing Consumers’ Education on Law Enforcement Resources Act
Description: This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice to develop, and make publicly available, an educational program to inform consumers about the resources available when their safety and security has been violated online.
Sponsors: Rep. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK-2]
Target Audience
Population: Internet-using consumers
Estimated Size: 300000000
- All individuals who use the internet may find this bill relevant as they are potential consumers in need of protection online.
- Educational programs will target internet users, educating them on leveraging law enforcement resources.
- A significant portion of the global population is online, either casually or professionally, and might find the resources made available by this act useful.
- The bill specifically targets consumers' awareness, implying that people who make purchases or perform transactions online are a primary focus.
Reasoning
- The policy targets educating internet users, a vast group including both occasional and frequent internet users across different demographics. The impact may vary based on their current level of knowledge about online security resources and their likelihood of encountering online threats.
- Cost constraints suggest that only a fraction of the U.S. internet users will be reached initially, focusing on those most at risk or those who frequently engage in activities that could compromise their safety online, like online shopping and social media.
- For many, the awareness might lead only to a low or negligible improvement in wellbeing, reflecting that for a significant number of people, the current online safety issues might not be critically impacting their perceived quality of life.
- Different professions, educational backgrounds, and age groups will interpret and utilize the educational content differently, affecting the policy's impact in terms of personal relevance and practical use.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone familiar with technology, I understand the risks but more information wouldn't hurt.
- I'd appreciate resources that are easy to digest and quick to apply in real life usage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Farmer (Rural Tennessee)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy seems like it's not directly for people like me who don't do much online.
- I might not really need these resources but knowing they're there is comforting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Freelancer (graphic design) (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The internet is a major part of my life and work, so being educated on online safety is incredibly important.
- I'm not very familiar with what to do if my online security is breached.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think knowing is half the battle when it comes to online threats.
- Getting targeted resources about what to do online if things go wrong could help prevent issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Startup Entrepreneur (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm always looking for ways to stay ahead in online security for my business.
- Any updates from trusted sources are always welcome, though I already take precautions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
College Student (New York City, NY)
Age: 19 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I spend a lot of time on my phone and laptop for both personal and school work, so this is relevant to me.
- I would definitely use easy-to-access resources to keep myself safe online.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired Accountant (Dallas, TX)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about scams as I've had friends fall victim and something similar worries me a lot.
- If there were clearer instructions and help, it'd ease my mind significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Digital Marketing Specialist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This kind of information would be great for people less familiar with internet safety, and I could share these resources with my clients.
- I am already quite vigilant about keeping up with online safety protocols.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Customer Support (Detroit, MI)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I often come across discussions about scams, so I'm interested in learning more to protect myself.
- Access to practical resources would definitely help me feel more secure.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Hospitality Manager (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Given my past experiences, I'm eager to learn more about preventing future incidents.
- This initiative could be a game changer for people such as myself who are exposed to various online transactions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Year 3: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Year 5: $3500000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of the program depends on user engagement and accessibility to the educational materials.
- Coordination between the FTC and DOJ will be crucial for the successful development and distribution of material.
- The evolving nature of online threats means the program will require updating and possibly expansion over time.