Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
This bill (SCREEN Act) requires interactive computer services that create, host, or make available pornographic or otherwise "harmful to minors" visual content to implement technology-based age verification within one year. Covered platforms must prevent minors from accessing such content, publicly describe their verification processes, subject user IPs to checks, secure and minimally retain verification data, and face Federal Trade Commission auditing and enforcement; the GAO must report on effectiveness two years after compliance begins.
Privacy and data-security concerns versus prioritizing child protection
Child‑safety framing helps support, but privacy, industry opposition, and constitutional concerns raise opposition and amendment activity.
This bill (SCREEN Act) requires interactive computer services that create, host, or make available pornographic or otherwise "harmful to minors" visual content to implement technology-based age verification within one year.
Covered platforms must prevent minors from accessing such content, publicly describe their verification processes, subject user IPs to checks, secure and minimally retain verification data, and face Federal Trade Commission auditing and enforcement; the GAO must report on effectiveness two years after compliance begins.
Substantive constitutional and privacy issues, enforcement burdens, and industry resistance reduce odds despite public child‑protection appeal.
How solid the drafting looks.
Privacy and data-security concerns versus prioritizing child protection
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Privacy and data-security concerns versus prioritizing child protection
Supports the goal of protecting minors from online pornography but is wary of mandatory age verification.
Likely emphasizes privacy, data security, and risks to LGBTQ and vulnerable youth who rely on online resources.
Wants strong limits on data collection, retention, and third-party sharing, plus safeguards for sexual-health or educational content.
Generally sympathetic to protecting children online but cautious about implementation and unintended consequences.
Wants clear definitions, feasible technical standards, and measured enforcement to avoid excessive costs or legal vulnerabilities.
Sees value in FTC guidance and the GAO study to inform adjustments.
Strongly favors protecting children from online pornography and views the bill as a practical tool to do so.
Accepts regulatory mandates on platforms when narrowly tailored to protect minors.
May nonetheless watch for federal overreach, costs, and privacy litigation risks but likely prefers enforcement focused on commercial porn providers.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Substantive constitutional and privacy issues, enforcement burdens, and industry resistance reduce odds despite public child‑protection appeal.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Privacy and data-security concerns versus prioritizing child protection
Substantive constitutional and privacy issues, enforcement burdens, and industry resistance reduce odds despite public child‑protection app…
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