The Web of Biological Data Act of 2026 directs the Department of Energy to create a centralized online platform called the Web of Biological Data to help researchers access and analyze biological information using advanced tools like artificial intelligence. This system will serve as a single entry point for federally funded data, featuring strict cybersecurity measures and tiered access controls to protect sensitive information. The bill establishes a phased rollout, beginning with a pilot version within two years that focuses on specific data types and user-friendly design, followed by a full expansion five years later that includes broader data compatibility and bioinformatic tools. To ensure the project's success, the legislation creates an advisory board with members from industry, academia, and government, and mandates regular reports to Congress on progress and security assessments. Funding is authorized to support the initial development, testing, and long-term maintenance of the platform while preserving existing privacy and ethical protections for biological data.
The JAWBONE Act prohibits federal agencies and employees from coercing private platforms like social media sites, broadcasters, or artificial intelligence providers into removing or altering content. To enforce this rule, the bill creates a new legal cause of action that allows these platforms to sue for damages if they are pressured into taking content actions, with specific exceptions for lawful investigations and court-ordered warrants. The legislation also mandates the creation of a public portal where agencies must log and disclose communications sent to these platforms regarding content moderation, including metadata and requests for action. Additionally, the bill requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop guidelines for logging these communications and establishes a formal complaint process for platforms to report potential violations.
The SAFE for Kids Act of 2026 requires internet platforms that host more than one-third sexual material harmful to minors to verify the age of users before they can access that content. Covered entities must implement systems using government-issued IDs, transactional data, or other reliable methods to confirm users are not under 18, while strictly prohibiting the retention or sale of the personal information collected during this process. The Federal Trade Commission is tasked with enforcing these rules through civil penalties and rulemaking, while the Department of Justice can pursue criminal charges against violators, including fines and imprisonment. Additionally, the law allows parents to sue platforms directly in civil court if their children gain access to prohibited material, and it mandates regular reports to Congress on enforcement activities.
This bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology to create task forces that develop technical standards for labeling content created by artificial intelligence. These groups will work with technology companies, social media platforms, and privacy experts to establish methods for watermarking images and videos, as well as tagging text, to help users distinguish AI-generated material from human-made content. The legislation requires these task forces to include representatives from various sectors, including developers, media organizations, and labor groups, and mandates regular reporting to Congress on their progress. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the need to protect user privacy when implementing these new tracking and labeling systems.
The GAME Act of 2026 prohibits large digital advertising platforms from showing targeted ads for sports gambling to anyone under 18 years old. This ban takes effect one year after the law is passed and applies to major social media sites, search engines, and ad networks that have over 100 million monthly users. The Federal Trade Commission is responsible for enforcing the rule, with repeated violations potentially leading to criminal fines of up to $100,000 per ad instance. The legislation defines specific types of data used for targeting, such as precise location tracking and unique device identifiers, while excluding simple context-based ads or those requested directly by users.
The Parents Over Platforms Act requires app stores and developers to verify user ages and restrict access to adult-only content for minors. App stores must ask users to declare their age and allow parents to block specific applications, while developers are prohibited from showing personalized ads to minors and must prevent them from accessing age-gated features. The law grants the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce these rules and includes a preemption clause that stops states from passing their own conflicting regulations. Developers are solely responsible for identifying which of their apps require age restrictions, and the bill includes protections for companies acting in good faith when technical limitations prevent perfect age verification. These measures will take effect two years after the legislation is enacted.
The Kids Off Social Media Act prohibits social media platforms from allowing children under 13 to create accounts and requires them to delete the personal data of any existing accounts belonging to children. It also bans platforms from using personalized recommendation systems to show content to children and teens, except when the system relies only on basic information like device type, language, and location. The Eyes on the Board Act of 2026 requires schools that receive discounted internet subsidies to certify that they block students from accessing social media platforms and monitor their online activities. Together, these measures aim to limit children's access to social media and restrict how platforms use data from young users.
This bill requires developers of artificial intelligence data centers to publicly disclose project details, such as location and environmental impact, at least 180 days before taking definitive construction steps. To ensure community awareness, the legislation mandates that developers engage local media, post on social media, send direct mail, place physical signs at the site, and provide materials in multiple languages. Additionally, the bill restricts the use of non-disclosure agreements with government entities and requires independent third-party environmental impact analyses funded by the developers. The Federal Trade Commission is designated as the enforcement agency, with violations treated as unfair or deceptive acts under existing federal law.
The Youth AI Privacy Act requires companies that operate artificial intelligence chatbots to take specific steps to protect minors under 18 from potential harm. The law mandates that companies must clearly inform young users that they are interacting with an AI, not a human, and prohibits features designed to encourage compulsive use, such as push notifications or rewards for frequent engagement. Additionally, the bill restricts how companies can use personal data from minors, banning the use of this information for advertising, profiling, or training AI models, with limited exceptions for safety testing. The Federal Trade Commission is tasked with enforcing these rules and issuing guidance to help companies comply, while also authorizing funding for research on the effects of AI chatbots on youth mental health.
The Parents Decide Act requires operating system providers to collect users' dates of birth when setting up accounts and using the system, with parental verification needed for anyone under 18. The bill mandates that app developers be able to access this information to verify user ages and gives parents control over what their minor children can access on their devices. The Federal Trade Commission is tasked with creating specific regulations within 180 days on how to verify parental consent, protect collected data, and implement these requirements, with enforcement through existing FTC unfair practices laws. The provisions take effect one year after enactment, and the FTC must report to Congress on implementation within 18 months.
