The digital revolution has brought incredible opportunities, but it has also come with a dark side. Big Tech companies have enabled the proliferation of harmful activities such as child exploitation, human trafficking, drug trafficking, bullying, eating disorders, addictive behaviors, and teen suicide. Stories like that of Kristin Bride, whose son took his own life after relentless cyberbullying, highlight the deadly consequences of these issues.
Given the immense power that Big Tech executives wield over the digital world, it is crucial for leaders on both sides of the aisle to take responsibility and protect the freedom of the American people. To address this challenge, a bipartisan bill has been introduced to regulate Big Tech similarly to other industries.
A few major Big Tech companies dominate internet traffic and control various aspects of American lives online. These companies operate without accountability, shielded from legal liability. This unrestrained power poses a threat to our economy, society, and democracy. Moreover, these companies engage in anti-competitive practices, manipulating search engines, leveraging information from small businesses, and imposing oppressive commissions on entrepreneurs.
Big Tech also invades users’ privacy, collecting personal data without regard for responsibility or legality. They mislead users about data sharing and suffer from frequent data leaks, leaving individuals vulnerable to criminal activity, foreign interference, and disinformation. Users are often left in the dark regarding data usage and content moderation.
It is time to rein in Big Tech, but this cannot be achieved through mere incremental changes. Piecemeal efforts have failed, as Congress lacks the necessary tech expertise, and Big Tech lobbyists easily thwart individual measures. To bring about meaningful change, a new regulatory agency with nimble adaptability is required, following the historical precedent of regulators overseeing emerging industries.
The Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act proposes the creation of an independent, bipartisan regulator with the authority to license and police major tech companies like Meta, Google, and Amazon. This agency would aim to prevent online harm, protect free speech and competition, safeguard privacy, and ensure national security. By focusing on the unique threats posed by tech giants, this regulator would strengthen the existing tools available to federal agencies and state attorneys general.
The legislation would establish common-sense protections for users of tech platforms, empowering families to shield their children from exploitation, cyberbullying, and drugs. Big Tech would be required to address these harms, and families would have recourse if they fail to do so.
Americans deserve transparency regarding data collection and usage, the ability to control who sees their data, and the freedom to opt out of targeted advertising. Discrimination in areas such as loans based on race or politics would be prohibited. The commission would have the flexibility to develop expertise and address new risks presented by technologies like generative A.I.
The bill would set clear rules for tech companies and enforce consequences for those that violate the law. Anticompetitive practices such as market dominance and tying the sale of products together would be prohibited. Mergers and acquisitions by dominant Big Tech platforms would face stricter scrutiny to prevent harmful outcomes.
Reining in Big Tech is a difficult but necessary fight. Ensuring that Americans have the means to combat online harms and giving small businesses a fair chance to innovate and compete are worthwhile goals. No company, industry, or CEO should be above the law. These reforms will promote responsible operations while fostering innovation in the tech sector.
It is now time for Congress to take action on these matters.
Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) has been in the Senate since 2003. Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) has served since 2013.
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