House Democrats Bill Targets ‘Malicious Algorithms’

Legislation House Democrats unveiled Thursday would remove Communications Decency Act Section 230 immunity when a platform “knowingly or recklessly uses an algorithm or other technology to recommend content that materially contributes to physical or severe emotional injury.” Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, N.J., will introduce the Justice Against Malicious Algorithms Act Friday with Communications Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania, Consumer Protection Subcommittee Chair Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, and Health Subcommittee Chair Anna Eshoo of California. “Social media platforms like Facebook continue to actively amplify content that endangers our families, promotes conspiracy theories, and incites extremism to generate more clicks and ad dollars,” said Pallone.