The Biden administration outlined six principles for reforming tech-giant platforms to curb their influence. Reuters reports.
“The emergence of tech platforms has posed new and complex challenges: from tragic acts of violence linked to toxic online culture, … to the fundamental rights of Americans and communities around the world suffering from the growth of tech platforms,” the White House said.
The principles, titled “Promoting Competition and Accountability in Tech Platforms,” were published after a meeting between administration officials and a panel of experts. They include:
- promoting competition in the tech sector;
- adoption of robust federal privacy protections, notably for children;
- repeal of the special legal shield for large tech platforms;
- greater transparency of platform algorithms and content-moderation decisions;
- ending biased algorithmic decision-making.
According to a White House spokesperson, the United States needs “clear rules of the road” to ensure small and medium-sized businesses can compete on equal terms with corporations.
“These principles are the culmination of months of work by the administration and engagement with numerous stakeholders,” said White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.
She added that the administration expects feedback from technology companies.
Also, a bipartisan group of senators introduced antitrust legislation aimed at regulating four tech giants — Meta, Apple, Alphabet and Amazon. They seek to prevent the corporations from favouring their own businesses in search results and in other ways.
Lawmakers are confident of obtaining the 60 votes in the Senate needed to pass the measure. A hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
Earlier in September, the White House outlined plans to implement the CHIPS Act. Specifically, recipients of federal aid would be barred from building new factories in China for 10 years.
In August, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission launched a rulemaking procedure for surveillance technologies, algorithms and data-security measures.
In May, the White House warned of threats of applying AI tools in recruitment.
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