Issue Brief

💻 Tech Regulation

Congress is grappling with regulating Big Tech — from antitrust enforcement to children's online safety, AI governance, and whether Section 230 liability protections still make sense. Here are the facts.

📊 Key Facts

Federal consumer data privacy laws in the U.S. — one of few developed nations without one

Source: IAPP, 2024

$3T+

Combined market cap of Apple, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Meta (2024)

Source: Yahoo Finance, 2024

230

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (1996) — shields platforms from liability for user content

Source: 47 U.S.C. § 230

2024

Year federal judge ruled Google held an illegal monopoly in online search (DOJ v. Google)

Source: U.S. District Court, D.C., Aug 2024

95%

U.S. teens who use YouTube; 67% who use TikTok daily (Pew, 2023)

Source: Pew Research Center, 2023

KOSA

Kids Online Safety Act — passed Senate 91–3 (2024), requires platforms to protect minors from harmful content

Source: Congress.gov, S.1409

🏛️ Where Congress Stands

🔵 Democratic Position

Support stricter antitrust enforcement against Big Tech monopolies
Back federal data privacy legislation with strong consumer rights
Support children's online safety requirements (KOSA)
Some want to reform or narrow Section 230 protections
Favor FTC and DOJ oversight of AI development and deployment

🔴 Republican Position

Support antitrust action against Big Tech, often citing perceived anti-conservative bias
Back children's online safety legislation (bipartisan support for KOSA)
Some want to reform Section 230 to hold platforms accountable for political censorship
Generally favor light-touch AI regulation to maintain U.S. competitiveness
Support TikTok ban or forced sale over national security concerns

🗳️ Recent Congressional Votes