United States of America: Introduced Digital Platform Commission Act of 2023 (S 1671)

On 18 May 2023, the Digital Platform Commission Act of 2023 (S 4201) was introduced in the United States Senate, aiming at establishing a federal agency to regulate online platforms. In particular, the Bill would establish a new federal agency that would have the power to conduct investigations, issue fines and regulations to protect consumers and promote competition. Furthermore, the federal agency would be required to designate “systemically important digital platforms” subject to specific compliance and safety rules. In regards to algorithmic processes that systemically important digital platforms employ, including the ones derived from artificial intelligence techniques, the agency will establish requirements to ensure their fairness, transparency and lack of deceptive bias. The platforms would be subject to audits and required to explain and provide information regarding ton the algorithmic processes. Finally, the federal agency would have to establish a Code Council to develop technical standards and behavioural and algorithmic codes.