H.R. 9279: Preventing AI Censorship Act

This bill would create a legal right for people to sue federal employees if those employees use their government authority to interfere with someone’s First Amendment rights in connection with artificial intelligence.

What it covers

The bill says a federal employee could be liable if they, acting in an official capacity, try to make an AI provider do any of the following for reasons tied to a person’s viewpoint, politics, religion, ideology, or perceived truth/bias:

• ban, suppress, remove, change, or limit AI-generated content or responses;
• change training data, model settings, prompts, or safety filters to suppress expression;
• deny, reduce, or worsen access to AI services for a person, or treat them worse, based on their viewpoint or beliefs;
• collect or share a user’s AI prompts or interactions with the purpose or likely effect of watching, discouraging, or punishing lawful expression;
• directly interfere with someone’s lawful use of AI.

Who could be sued

The bill applies to federal employees in the executive branch, including independent agencies, but not the President or Vice President.

Limits and exceptions

• It does not let federal employees sue their own federal employer or the federal government for actions within the job relationship.
• It says the bill should not be read to restrict lawful law-enforcement activity done under a valid warrant, court order, or similar judicial authorization.
• It also says the law does not reduce any other legal remedies a person may already have under the Constitution or other laws.

Attorney’s fees

A court could award reasonable attorney’s fees to the party that wins, except the United States cannot receive those fees under this provision.

Practical effect

In plain terms, the bill is meant to stop federal officials from pressuring AI companies to censor, weaken, or monitor AI systems in ways that would discriminate against people because of their beliefs or viewpoints. It would give affected people a way to seek damages or other court relief if that happens.

Relevant Companies

None found