US Senator Michael F. Bennet plans to introduce a new bill today that would establish a new commission that will focus on regulating big tech and protecting consumers, The Washington Post reports.
The Digital Platform Commission Act would create a new five-person panel that will help be a federal watchdog to some of the most influential tech companies based in the United States.
The Washington Post notes that this agency would have the power to create new rules, such as requiring these companies to be more transparent about their content moderation guidelines.
It’s past time for a comprehensive approach to regulating digital platforms that have amassed extraordinary power over America's economy, society and democracy.
— Michael Bennet (@SenatorBennet) May 12, 2022
Today, I introduced a bill to create an expert federal watchdog for digital platforms.🧵https://t.co/N6QfE9wS5S
The Washington Post also notes that the bill would establish a "Code Council" consisting of technologists and public interest experts, which would "create technical standards and policies for the commission to consider. Additionally, a research office would be formed to allow the agency to internally research big tech companies with the ability to coordinate with outside academics.
"It's past time for a comprehensive approach to regulating digital platforms that have amassed extraordinary power over America's economy, society, and democracy," Senator Bennet said in a recent tweet.
Senator Bennet told The Washington Post his motivation for introducing the bill was due to disinformation he viewed in his work while serving on the Senate Intelligence Committee and witnessing the impact social media has had on his children.
Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.
