James McGovern (D-MA)
Big Tech Accountability Act
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
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
The Big Tech Accountability Act aims to foster accountability among online platforms and internet service providers. It establishes criminal penalties for disseminating fraudulent civic misinformation regarding essential government services or processes. The bill also creates criminal liability for the internet dissemination of communications that encourage violence or felony offenses. Additionally, it modifies Section 230 to increase the liability of interactive computer services under certain conditions. Finally, the Act imposes restrictions on targeted online advertising and directs the FTC to study ways to protect personal privacy from the exploitive collection and sale of personal information.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +9
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill establishes strong new protections against the exploitive collection and sale of personal information.
- Scored +9
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?
The bill provides substantial new protections for personal privacy against commercial exploitation.
- Scored +8
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?
The bill significantly increases regulation on large digital platforms regarding misinformation, targeting, and data privacy.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?
The bill imposes criminal penalties for content that could be classified as fraudulent misinformation, which may impact free expression.
- Scored -5
Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life?
The bill may chill free speech by imposing criminal penalties and civil liability for the dissemination of misinformation and encouragement of violence.
- Scored -4
Would business owners be better off under this?
Digital platforms and content providers face increased legal liability and operational restrictions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection from Civic Misinformation: The bill creates penalties for those who knowingly spread false information about essential government services like voting, the census, and public health (Section 3, Sec. 1041).
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Safety from Encouraged Violence: It establishes criminal liability for people who use the internet to encourage others to commit violence or felonies (Section 4, Sec. 251).
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Increased Accountability for Platforms: The act amends existing laws so that interactive computer services can be held liable if they target content, act recklessly/negligently regarding misinformation or violence, or receive financial benefits from amplifying such content (Section 5, Sec. 230(c)(1)).
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Ad Targeting Restrictions: It prohibits covered online platforms from targeting advertisements to specific individuals or groups based on personal information (Section 5, Sec. 232).
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Empowerment through Civil Action: Individuals are granted the right to bring civil actions against platforms that violate advertising restrictions, with the ability to seek damages and attorney's fees (Section 5, Sec. 232(b)).
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Privacy Protection Initiatives: The bill directs the FTC to recommend reforms to prevent the exploitive collection and sale of personal information without genuine, informed consent (Section 5, Sec. 233).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Criminal Penalties for Misinformation: Individuals or entities could face fines or up to 5 years in prison for spreading fraudulent civic misinformation (Section 3, Sec. 1041).
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Criminal Penalties for Encouraging Violence: People disseminating communications that encourage violence or felonies could face fines or up to 2 years in prison (Section 4, Sec. 251).
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Civil Liability Risks: Publishing entities and individuals may be subject to significant civil penalties of up to $50,000 per violation or lawsuits from people claiming injury, loss of civil rights, or loss of opportunities to vote (Section 3, Sec. 1042; Section 4, Sec. 252).
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Platform Liability Changes: Interactive computer services may face increased liability for the content they host if they engage in targeting, act recklessly/negligently, or profit from the amplification of misinformation or violence (Section 5, Sec. 230(c)(1)).
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 bill establishes strong new protections against the exploitive collection and sale of personal information. Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — The bill significantly increases regulation on large digital platforms regarding misinformation, targeting, and data privacy.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill provides substantial new protections for personal privacy against commercial exploitation. Does this make elections run better? — The bill aims to improve electoral integrity by penalizing the spread of fraudulent misinformation about voting processes. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal authority over digital content through new criminal and civil enforcement powers. Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The bill imposes criminal penalties for content that could be classified as fraudulent misinformation, which may impact free expression.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill enhances consumer protection by restricting exploitative data collection and providing civil rights of action against targeted advertising violations.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Digital platforms and content providers face increased legal liability and operational restrictions.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect the right to vote? — The bill protects the integrity of the voting process by penalizing fraudulent civic misinformation regarding elections and registration. Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — The bill may chill free speech by imposing criminal penalties and civil liability for the dissemination of misinformation and encouragement of violence.
- 9/4/2026
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House