Transparency in Bureaucratic Communications Act
Transparency in Bureaucratic Communications Act
Plain Language Summary
# Summary of the Transparency in Bureaucratic Communications Act (S. 66) **What the Bill Does:** This bill would require federal inspectors general—officials who oversee and audit federal agencies—to report to Congress about any communications their agencies have had with social media platforms and online services. These reports would need to detail what was discussed, including conversations about content moderation, specific posts, how platforms operate their algorithms, and other technical matters related to how these services work. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects federal agencies and inspectors general who would need to compile and report this information.
It also impacts major online platforms like social media companies and internet service providers, as their communications with government agencies would become subject to congressional scrutiny. Indirectly, it could affect the general public by potentially increasing transparency about government-tech company interactions. **Current Status:** The bill was introduced by Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full Senate. It remains in the early stages of the legislative process.
CRS Official Summary
Transparency in Bureaucratic Communications ActThis bill requires federal offices of inspectors general to include in their existing semiannual reports to Congress information about any communications between their department or agency and certain online platforms and services. Specifically, such reports must include details on the contents and circumstances of any communication or attempted communication with an internet platform, information content provider, or access software provider. Covered communications include those addressing specific online content, content moderation practices, and any other topic related to a platform's or service's data inputs, algorithms, modeling and simulation processes, analysis tools, or any related tool.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.