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Lawmakers consider legislation meant to protect user privacy online

Members of Congress are looking to better protect user privacy online and to crack down on the data tech companies gather on people.

Members of a House panel discussed seven different bills now under consideration in a hearing on Thursday.

One proposal dubbed the “Social Media Disclosure and Transparency of Advertisements Act of 2021″ or H.R. 3451 aims to require social media platforms to provide information about how they advertise to users.

Another bill called the “Kids Internet Design and Safety Act” or H.R. 5439 cracks down on marketing to kids online.

“Bottom line, the internet is not living up to its promises,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.). “Today’s internet is harming our children, our society, and our democracy.”

“I for one certainly want to see rules that are clear and easy to understand for my constituents,” said Rep. Gus Bilirakis (F-Fla.). “The legislation before us will provide greater transparency.”

The “Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act” or H.R. 3611 would prohibit discriminatory use of personal information collected by tech companies online.

“If platforms have no meaningful motivations to fix the harmful algorithms that amplify hate, they won’t do it,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO and National Director for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).

All the bills are now under consideration in the House.