H.R. 10775: Bots Research Act

This bill would direct the Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission to create a task force to study how automated accounts, often called bots, affect social media, public discussion, and elections.

What the task force would do

• Be set up within 90 days after the bill becomes law.
• Include experts from government, academia, nonprofit organizations, industry, and any others the FTC Chair thinks are appropriate.
• Be made up of people with expertise in automation technology.
• Be supported by FTC staff and officials.
• Serve without pay and without travel reimbursement.

What the study would cover

The task force would examine several basic questions about bots and automated accounts, including:

• What should count as a bot or automated account.
• How widespread their use is.
• How they are used.
• How to reduce harmful uses of automated accounts on social media, public discussion, and elections while still protecting First Amendment rights online.

What factors it must consider

In doing the study, the task force would have to consider:

• Encouraging technological innovation.
• Protecting users’ constitutional rights, including free speech.
• Improving cybersecurity and election integrity.
• Whether existing rules should be updated as technology changes.

Report to Congress

Within one year after the task force is established, it would have to submit its findings and conclusions to Congress and relevant federal agencies.

Relevant Companies

None found