Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn on Saturday released an updated version of the Kids Online Safety Act.
Why it matters: Bill sponsors are fighting to get the kids online protections passed before the end of the year.
What's inside: The changes further clarify KOSA would not censor or remove any content from the internet and would not give the FTC or state AGs the power to bring lawsuits over content or speech, per the senators.
- Sen. Ed Markey's COPPA 2.0 is still in the bill under Title II.
What they're saying: "Led by X, the new changes made to the Kids Online Safety Act strengthen the bill while safeguarding free speech online and ensuring it is not used to stifle expression," said Blackburn and Blumenthal.
- "These changes should eliminate once and for all the false narrative that this bill would be weaponized by unelected bureaucrats to censor Americans."
- "We thank Elon [Musk] and Linda [Yaccarino] for their bold leadership and commitment to protecting children online and for helping us get this bill across the finish line this Congress."
- "After working with the bill authors, I'm proud to share that we've made progress to further protect freedom of speech while maintaining safety for minors online," X's Yaccarino posted.
Flashback: The Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act, which passed the Senate 91-3 in July, combined the Kids Online Safety Act and COPPA 2.0.
What's next: House members are reviewing the bill, a GOP aide said.
Our thought bubble: The changes may get House leaders, who previously said they want to take on a new approach next year, on board.
- The Senate passed a different version of the bill and it remains to be seen whether the changes are acceptable to enough senators.
- Tacking the bill onto must-pass legislation is the most feasible option as time runs out.
