Big Tech Accountability Act

Refreshed 5 h ago

Introduced 2026-09-04Topic: technology privacy · elections democracy · criminal justice

Summary

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This bill would make it a federal crime, punishable by up to 5 years in prison, to knowingly spread false information about government services such as voting, elections, the census, or public health, and would also cover publishers and platforms that knowingly spread or target such content. It would make it a crime, punishable by up to 2 years, to spread online messages urging violence to 500 or more viewers, with platform liability when targeted content reaches 10,000 or more views. It would change Section 230 so online services could be held liable for others' content if they target it to users or profit from spreading misinformation or violence. It would ban online platforms from targeting paid ads to individuals or groups based on personal information, allow people to sue over violations, and void pre-dispute arbitration agreements for these claims. It would also direct the Federal Trade Commission to recommend rules on collecting and selling online personal information without consent within 120 days.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Action history

Date	Chamber	Action	Status effect
2026-09-04	House	Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.	refer
2026-09-04	House	Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.	refer
2026-09-04		Introduced in House	introduce
2026-09-04		Introduced in House	introduce

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