A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the GUARDIAN Act, generally bans covered platforms from processing the personal data of minors under 16 without getting verifiable parental consent first. Platforms are allowed to process personal data strictly to determine a user's age, as long as they promptly delete that data afterward. If a parent withdraws consent, the platform has 10 days to terminate the minor's account and delete their personal data. Platforms must also delete a minor's personal data once the minor turns 16, unless a parent requests retention. The Federal Trade Commission and State Attorneys General are tasked with enforcing these rules.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +9
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The act significantly increases data privacy protections for individuals under age 16.
- Scored +9
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill provides robust privacy protections by requiring parental consent for minors' data processing.
- Scored +9
Would children be better off under this?
The bill provides significant privacy protections specifically for children under age 16.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill imposes new compliance, age verification, and data deletion costs on digital platform operators.
- Scored -2
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?
The mandates on data processing and account termination may incidentally affect user content and expression.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Parental Control Over Data Collection: Parents gain the right to receive direct notice and give verifiable consent before a platform can collect or use their minor child's personal data, as outlined in Section 3(a) and Section 2(11). This helps parents protect their children's privacy online.
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Right to Withdraw Consent: Parents can withdraw their consent at any time using a method that is at least as easy to use as the method by which consent was granted, according to Section 3(d)(1). This gives parents an ongoing way to manage their children's platform access.
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Data Deletion Upon Turning 16: Platforms are generally required to delete all personal data associated with a covered minor's account once the minor turns 16, pursuant to Section 5(b)(1). This prevents platforms from holding onto childhood data indefinitely.
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Data Portability: Platforms must make available a means for parents to download their minor's personal data in a portable, machine-readable format for at least 90 days before deleting the account data, as stated in Section 5(c). This allows families to keep records of their data.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Burdensome Account Termination: Under Section 3(d)(2), if a parent withdraws consent, the platform must terminate the minor's account within 10 days. This could negatively impact minors who lose access to their accounts and stored content abruptly.
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Data Deletion at Age 16: Under Section 5(b)(1), a platform cannot retain a minor's personal data after they turn 16 unless a parent specifically requests it. This could result in 16-year-olds losing access to their accounts, history, and content if a parent fails to submit a retention request.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The act significantly increases data privacy protections for individuals under age 16. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill regulates how large digital platforms handle the data of minors.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill provides robust privacy protections by requiring parental consent for minors' data processing. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands FTC authority and provides State attorneys general with specific enforcement powers regarding minor data. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill allows states to enact stricter protections for minors than the federal standard. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The mandates on data processing and account termination may incidentally affect user content and expression.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill provides significant privacy protections specifically for children under age 16. Would students be better off under this? — Students under 16 gain increased privacy and control over their digital footprints. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill imposes new compliance, age verification, and data deletion costs on digital platform operators.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The act enhances consumer protection by requiring parental consent for data processing of minors on social platforms.
- 9/1/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Introduced in House