Bill Overview
Title: Platform Integrity Act
Description: This bill specifies that providers and users of interactive computer services (e.g., social media) may be held liable for third-party content if they promote or otherwise recommend the content.
Sponsors: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
Target Audience
Population: Users and providers of interactive computer services
Estimated Size: 270000000
- Interactive computer services include social media platforms used by billions worldwide.
- Providers of these services, such as companies operating social media platforms, will need to alter algorithms or alter legal strategies.
- Users of these services, essentially the social media users and content creators, may experience changes in content exposure and distribution.
- General public might be impacted by changes in the types of content they are exposed to online.
- Content moderators and administrators will likely experience shifts in processes and policies they must enforce.
- Increased accountability for third-party content might influence legal frameworks globally.
Reasoning
- The Platform Integrity Act directly affects both providers of interactive computer services (such as social media companies) and users (including content creators and general users).
- Since about 270 million people in the US use social media, this population is massive and diverse.
- The policy involves significant costs related to legal compliance, algorithm adjustments, and content moderation.
- Not all users will be equally impacted; some may notice changes in content exposure while others may not see a significant change.
- The budget suggests that the implementation will require major investments, especially from large tech companies, spreading over ten years.
- Wellbeing impacts will vary: some people may feel more secure online, while others may face barriers due to restricted content.
- Most impacts will emerge quickly within the first few years as platforms adjust technologies and legal practices.
Simulated Interviews
Social Media Strategist (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's going to be a massive change for companies like ours, needing to redesign recommendation algorithms.
- The increased accountability is a good move to eliminate harmful content, but it needs careful implementation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Content Creator (Austin, TX)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If my content stops being recommended, it could drastically affect my views and income.
- I think it's important to address harmful content but hope it doesn't backfire on creators like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Digital Marketing Director (New York, NY)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy makes ethical sense but will require significant strategy shifts to comply.
- It's crucial to maintain a balance between safety and free expression.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Tech Policy Analyst (Chicago, IL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a significant step toward increasing accountability.
- There are potential risks if companies implement overly restrictive measures.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Retired Teacher (Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a good thing to lessen harmful misinformation spread.
- I'm hopeful that it leads to a safer online environment.
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 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
College Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 19 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm interested in seeing how algorithms change.
- It could mean new transparency for how content is pushed to me, which would be great.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Content Moderator (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is going to make my job harder, needing to handle more content issues.
- It could, however, professionalize moderation, leading to more definitive guidelines.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Corporate Lawyer (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There will be a significant increase in legal costs for tech companies.
- It aligns better with international standards for content responsibility.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Freelance Journalist (Boston, MA)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This change could limit my reach if platforms stop promoting indie journalists.
- I hope it leads to more reliable information distribution.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Privacy Advocate (Miami, FL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could better protect user data if platforms need less data for recommendations.
- However, it could lead to increased gatekeeping of information.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $6500000000 (Low: $5500000000, High: $7500000000)
Year 2: $6200000000 (Low: $5200000000, High: $7200000000)
Year 3: $6000000000 (Low: $5000000000, High: $7000000000)
Year 5: $5800000000 (Low: $4800000000, High: $6800000000)
Year 10: $5500000000 (Low: $4500000000, High: $6500000000)
Year 100: $3500000000 (Low: $2500000000, High: $4500000000)
Key Considerations
- Potential First Amendment implications and legal challenges.
- Global implications for U.S.-based tech companies and international content laws.
- Need for balancing content moderation with freedom of expression.