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Big Tech's Desperate Attempt to Derail the Kids Online Safety Act
Google, Meta, and their Big Tech allies have launched a massive lobbying campaign to undermine the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a bipartisan legislation aimed at protecting minors from the dangers of social media. Critics argue that this is a cynical move to safeguard their profits at the expense of children's well-being.Protecting Kids or Censoring Speech?
Conflicting Narratives and Misleading Tactics
The opponents of KOSA have portrayed the legislation as a troubling censorship bill, claiming it would give the government excessive control over families' decision-making. However, the bill's supporters argue that it is focused on ensuring that social media platforms design their products to shield kids from harmful content, such as sexual abuse, drug addiction, and dangerous stunts. The critics appear to be tailoring their message based on the audience they're trying to influence, with some claiming the bill is a "huge threat to pro-life groups" and others alleging it is "anti-LGBTQ+."Lobbying Frenzy and Bipartisan Support
The lobbying efforts around KOSA have intensified as the bill has gained broad bipartisan support in Congress. The Senate passed the bill by a 91-3 margin in July, and a House panel has also advanced the child safety legislation. However, it remains unclear if the bill will be passed by the gridlocked House before the end of the year, as Congress is in recess until after the 2024 presidential election.Big Tech's Spending Spree
According to OpenSecrets records, Google and Meta have filed more lobbying disclosures related to KOSA than any other bill in 2024. The five social media firms called to testify at a Senate hearing on online harm to minors in January – Meta, TikTok, Snap, X, and Discord – spent a staggering million in 2023 alone on lobbying around KOSA and other tech-focused bills.Conflicting Statements and Shifting Positions
Meta has expressed support for federal regulation of social media, but has stopped short of backing KOSA. The company claims the bill could lead to increased government power over families' decision-making, while also stating that it supports the development of age-appropriate standards for teens online. TikTok, on the other hand, has said it could support KOSA with some changes, while Discord and Snap have broken ranks with the tech industry to endorse the legislation.Accusations of Misinformation and Manipulation
Critics have accused Big Tech and their front groups of spreading "lies" about KOSA, with Senator Marsha Blackburn, a co-lead sponsor of the bill, stating that their goal is to "maximize profits – not protect our children." The mysterious unsigned memo used to attack KOSA contained talking points similar to those used to warn lawmakers about another tech-focused bill, the American Privacy Rights Act, raising questions about the source and motives behind these efforts.Potential Implications and the Future of Tech Regulation
If KOSA passes, it could pave the way for other long-delayed bills aimed at reining in Big Tech, such as a potential repeal of Section 230 or comprehensive data privacy laws. As Alix Fraser, director of the Council for Responsible Social Media, stated, "They are fighting this tooth and nail because they know that once the floodgates open of regulation, everything's going to change."
