X Corp, led by Elon Musk and CEO Linda Yaccarino, has expressed support for the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which recently gained approval in the U.S. Senate. This proposed legislation is designed to enhance protections for children in the digital space while upholding the principles of free speech. X Corp's endorsement comes as lawmakers push for stricter oversight of social media platforms, though KOSA has prompted debate over potential impacts on free expression and censorship concerns.
The involvement of X Corp highlights Musk's increasing role in shaping policy discussions. Although it's common for external entities, including corporations, to offer input on legislative matters, the announcement by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) underscores the significance of X Corp's endorsement. The senators view the company's support as pivotal to advancing the bill.
"Thanks to the input from X, the updates made to the Kids Online Safety Act enhance the bill's effectiveness while safeguarding free speech and preventing misuse to suppress lawful expression," Blumenthal and Blackburn stated. "These improvements should dispel the misconception that the legislation could be weaponized by unelected officials to curtail Americans' speech. We appreciate Elon Musk and Linda Yaccarino for their leadership in protecting children online and helping move this bill forward in Congress."
The legislation seeks to create a safer online environment for children by requiring tech platforms to take proactive measures to address and mitigate risks associated with certain design elements, such as infinite scrolling and photo filters. While the Senate overwhelmingly approved the bill earlier this year, it has faced delays in the House of Representatives. Critics have voiced concerns that KOSA could be exploited to target unpopular speech or lead to overly cautious content moderation due to fear of legal liability.
Key changes to the bill clarify that it cannot be used to impose liability on platforms based on the viewpoints expressed by users, ensuring protections under the First Amendment. Additionally, the scope of the duty of care regarding anxiety and depression has been refined to apply only when these conditions are "objectively verifiable" and directly linked to "compulsive usage" of online platforms.
Linda Yaccarino had previously spoken in favor of KOSA on behalf of X earlier this year, contrasting the stance of other major tech firms, whose executives have refrained from endorsing the legislation. Supporters of KOSA argue that resistance from influential tech companies and their lobbying efforts remains a significant obstacle to its enactment.