X CEO Linda Yaccarino Updates Kids Online Safety Act for Republican Support

With just weeks left to pass legislation before Congress adjourns, X CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she has collaborated with the authors of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) to update the bill. This strategic move is seen as an attempt to engage with the Republican House leaders who have been blocking its progress toward becoming law.

Influence of Tech Companies on Legislation

This notable update highlights how Elon Musk and his enterprises are increasingly influencing governmental decisions. While it is not uncommon for external stakeholders, including companies, to engage with ongoing legislative efforts, the acknowledgment from the bill’s sponsors, Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), suggests that they see X’s contributions as beneficial for the bill’s prospects.

Strengthening KOSA to Safeguard Free Speech

In a collaborative statement, Blumenthal and Blackburn expressed, "Led by X, the new changes made to the Kids Online Safety Act strengthen the bill while safeguarding free speech online and ensuring it is not used to stifle expression." They further noted that this effort should dispel the misconceptions that the bill could be misused by bureaucrats to censor the public.

Aims of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA)

The Kids Online Safety Act is centered around enhancing online safety for children by assigning a duty of care to tech platforms. This includes responsibilities to prevent and mitigate potential harms related to features such as photo filters and infinite scroll.

Legislative Progress and Challenges

The KOSA bill received overwhelming support in the Senate during the summer; however, it has encountered obstacles in the House. Critics are particularly wary that the legislation may be leveraged against unpopular speech or that it could result in a more restricted online environment due to platform apprehensions regarding legal repercussions.

Key Changes to the Bill

Recent changes proposed in the bill include a clarification that it cannot be enforced based on users’ viewpoints expressed through speech as protected by the First Amendment. Additionally, the scope of the duty of care regarding anxiety and depressive disorders has been refined to address only those conditions that are "objectively verifiable" and closely tied to "compulsive usage."

Tech Industry Leadership and Lobbying

Yaccarino had earlier endorsed the bill on behalf of X, a move not matched by the leadership of competing companies like Meta and Google. Supporters of KOSA identified tech lobbying as a primary hurdle to the bill's passage.

House Leadership Concerns

Republican leadership in the House has emerged as a significant barrier to the bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) expressed his admiration for the bill's principles but highlighted concerns over its details, stating, "I love the principle, but the details of that are very problematic." He expressed worries about potential unintended consequences.

Moreover, **House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA)** is perceived as an even tougher audience, with concerns regarding the range of the duty of care stipulated in the bill. As the deadline approaches, the future of KOSA remains uncertain but pivotal for enhancing online safety for younger audiences.