[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6274819,"mediaKeyId","2778690-06099f759e98b3dabc95626253c5a53a","parentId",2778690,"title","Lawmakers and witnesses warn attempted firing of FTC commissioners threatens enforcement of online‑safety laws","audioSeconds",2171,"startMs",2643000,"endMs",4814000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778690-06099f759e98b3dabc95626253c5a53a&start=2643&end=4814","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778690-06099f759e98b3dabc95626253c5a53a/thumbnail_2643000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6274819/Lawmakers-and-witnesses-warn-attempted-firing-of-FTC-commissioners-threatens-enforcement-of-onlinesafety-laws","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274819-8a7313ead07ec00b7023ee695d05afed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770580372&Signature=MMUWZk5TlTOdvlOZCTkodaP7SaLXjopbBrOH~cXOzQtse5eHQA7q0NjCMf2B3C1qJsdn5L744NhE5UvXq1miYFLlIBsCHpqkXMGRB5AF5v3N3KueRyowOCN2wHeRxRdMtlPr4RCB8GbnxRvjv2nxqYanmEOvZD8BxAbZ6kgCOr-07ZRkTzw16gnLxX6c5rEkljbze-vh3Gz2OQQKzu4ykumQ7Lhr9pyF6VMKTZ5BASHzI7-TKRN3TJGNjFpI6GCcmTD-3jaWdCun5yz2vaT3rL1PYVd060mZy5iyWrDgB5~lCZq4regfvdpocgMORG-eFwbkqL~Ud5CEErRqs7n-mw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce","date","2025-03-26T17:32:42Z","article","Lawmakers and witnesses at the Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing spent substantial time discussing an administration move—described repeatedly in the room as unlawful—to remove two sitting Democratic Federal Trade Commission commissioners, and they warned the action could weaken enforcement of consumer and child‑safety protections.

Why it matters: Witnesses called the FTC the primary federal enforcer for consumer privacy, competition, and online‑safety statutes. They said bipartisan commission structure and multi‑year staggered terms provide durable oversight across administrations; an ability of the president to remove commissioners without cause would alter that balance.

Former FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, who said she and Commissioner Bedoya will challenge the removals in court, warned that the attempted ousters create a “shadow of arbitrary removal” that could chill enforcement: \"Removing me and commissioner Bedoya means that we will all remain in the dark if the FTC veers off course or if the president orders chairman Ferguson to treat the most powerful companies in the world with kid gloves,\" she said.

Members from both parties recounted examples of bipartisan FTC work—privacy settlements, market studies, and investigations into pharmacy benefit managers and social‑media practices—and said those programs rely on a balanced, independent commission. Several members asked whether, if the attempted removals stand, majority commissioners could be removed later for political reasons, and Slaughter answered that the same statutory protections apply to all commissioners and warned of chilling effects on enforcement.

Open issues: Members asked whether the agency can continue ongoing investigations and administrative actions; Slaughter said outcomes are uncertain and that the removal raises questions about durability and transparency of agency decisions. Witnesses said a functioning, independent FTC is central to enforcing new laws such as COSA and Take It Down; without it, plaintiffs and victims may have limited recourse.

Ending: Commissioners, witnesses, and members urged the courts to review the removals and asked committee leadership to consider oversight steps. No formal committee action on the removals was taken during the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","CMT Hearing: The World Wild Web: Examining Harms Online","oneSentenceSummary","Members and witnesses said President Trump’s recent attempt to remove two Democratic FTC commissioners could undermine the agency’s independence and hamper enforcement of privacy, competition, and children's online‑safety rules.","taxTitle","Energy and Commerce: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1824,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6274823,"Witnesses urge carveouts to Section 230 immunity for generative AI and highlight risks from deepfakes",127,5016000,5143000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778690-06099f759e98b3dabc95626253c5a53a&start=5016&end=5143","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778690-06099f759e98b3dabc95626253c5a53a/thumbnail_5016000.jpg","/articles/6274823/Witnesses-urge-carveouts-to-Section-230-immunity-for-generative-AI-and-highlight-risks-from-deepfakes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274823-7660d7fab36520f7e4b27094617081d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770580372&Signature=U~maL6lrDEyHHpTIM58yepJdIIEWu7xye0x~sLmJ1aaItvxOWSXgtMWHN8YMtAzQRrjiau~NcdXDDYdSv2XCTxi3QhPx9Ybd7-nAKh62RYKR4DC~zuReBXZ8DcTltgrC0Wnp8N~FRm9fXPzqrwVm9dCLBicMzayOBsR9OP4lXoCACMXxVCQtRQ8j2OetqceXSkl7hngTTBmvttvczO3KpmU8yCnTrNgplED-JrHqEsMTjQF0iNjOpn-9py1EI4Ytno937dbRFoMeFe8HWzfAOvOax2Po~n~v1xJjWEXOUcmHkd~WtQUH8yTSReqoOFUw50qdJ-RBpX7ef1X98TqL8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","As generative artificial intelligence becomes a tool for creating nonconsensual intimate images and hyperreal deepfakes, witnesses urged Congress to limit Section 230 protections for AI products and to create paths for liability and prevention.

Why it matters: Speakers warned that platforms and AI developers are increasingly able to produce realistic fake images of minors and adults, which complicates identification, law enforcement triage, and victims' ability to obtain relief.

Claire Morrell said generative AI is a product rather than third‑party speech and therefore should not receive broad Section 230 immunity: \"AI products are not hosting third‑party speech. Section 230 was not meant to protect product design.\" She recommended a targeted statutory clarification to open a path for litigation and accountability.

NCMEC and other witnesses described a rising volume of AI‑generated exploitative imagery and said red‑teaming and pre‑deployment safety testing should be part of legislation. Yota Suras urged preventive measures that limit the ability to create exploitative images upstream rather than relying solely on downstream removal or criminal prosecution.

Members asked about constitutional limits; witnesses proposed narrowly drafted exclusions (for generative AI when the company is creating or co‑creating content and for knowingly hosted criminal content) to reduce First Amendment risks. Several witnesses said clarifying that product‑design actions do not fall under Section 230 would be a viable, enforceable change.

Ending: Lawmakers signaled interest in bipartisan, narrow statutory language to exclude generative AI output from Section 230 immunity and to require safety testing and clearer civil and criminal remedies for deepfake exploitation; no formal vote occurred.","Panelists recommended clarifying that Section 230 immunity does not extend to generative AI product outputs or to platforms that knowingly host criminal material; they urged red‑teaming and civil remedies for AI‑generated nonconsensual imagery.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6274824,"Lawmakers, advocates press for COPPA updates, Kids Online Safety Act and App Store rules to bolster parental control",294,3296000,3590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778690-06099f759e98b3dabc95626253c5a53a&start=3296&end=3590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778690-06099f759e98b3dabc95626253c5a53a/thumbnail_3296000.jpg","/articles/6274824/Lawmakers-advocates-press-for-COPPA-updates-Kids-Online-Safety-Act-and-App-Store-rules-to-bolster-parental-control","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274824-d1060813883e2cbfb256e50d397ebd9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770580372&Signature=ZBmjflKNB98F-GwKGEvtQ7my4hQ1hjneTuiXAx5PD9JHHums~8MXPXtAjJl8ucZsk3JP5gSQpnXrWtT5SPDWyASmgYi01R~zZtZUIG2O4zgitRn6wFt79fOM~NgfQeS5EPD2P5NriGuGnPgHPuuhyClExHhRuKA9Tl~k4RFKjUwvMNar8WBtsTOHVcQ7G-7CJ3Vhc6pQdgrEmWSzeWncv01sqjy2BHUGlM0zLgJ8kMbhkjfERjTfQMfDtRC~zDIZrbvs8zmvtHiELJ3dBqBc2Fl81YOvbDMlZI2R~~uNtUgSDY2RUYECdwQQDP6zV43gaL44m1UgFDCE87TYhg8nyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Witnesses at a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee hearing recommended multiple, complementary laws to reduce children’s exposure to harmful content and the addictive design choices that amplify it.

Why it matters: Panelists said parental tools alone are insufficient. They urged layered protections—age verification, app‑store parental consent, app design obligations, and updated COPPA definitions—to address the collective and algorithmic harms children face online.

Claire Morrell, Ethics and Public Policy Center, argued social media is a harmful environment for children and recommended raising the default age for social media access and requiring parental involvement for account creation. \"Parents are not part of that process,\" she said; the current ecosystem lets minors register and contract with apps without parents’ knowledge.

Witnesses urged modernizing COPPA so protections do not stop at 13. Dawn Hawkins and others testified that the statutory “digital adult” effect leaves teens exposed at the age most targeted by predators and by design choices that prioritize engagement over safety. They recommended that COPPA updates and COSA be coordinated so that privacy, design, and parental consent work together.

On app stores, members and witnesses supported the App Store Accountability Act concept: put verifiable age checks and parental consent at the point of download, not solely on individual app developers. Representative Jay Obernolte and others said app stores can enforce age gating and purchase controls more effectively than dispersed, often nonprofessional developers.

Implementation issues: Panelists and members debated legal and technical tradeoffs—how to verify age without eroding privacy, how to balance consumer protection with First Amendment constraints, and how to make parental controls usable. Supporters said legislation can be designed narrowly to avoid constitutional problems while restoring parental oversight and creating consistent liability for products designed to harm children.

Ending: Lawmakers from both parties pledged to continue negotiating text and to prioritize passage this term; witnesses offered to assist in drafting operational provisions for age assurance, parental consent, and safety‑by‑design.","Witnesses urged layered, bipartisan policy solutions—age assurance, app store parental consent, design standards in the Kids Online Safety Act (COSA), and COPPA modernization—to reduce exposure, addictive design, and data collection on minors.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6274827,"House hearing spotlights Take It Down Act as tool to remove nonconsensual intimate images of minors",2041,2461000,4502000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2778690-06099f759e98b3dabc95626253c5a53a&start=2461&end=4502","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2778690-06099f759e98b3dabc95626253c5a53a/thumbnail_2461000.jpg","/articles/6274827/House-hearing-spotlights-Take-It-Down-Act-as-tool-to-remove-nonconsensual-intimate-images-of-minors","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6274827-f7f74a374c1cc0dc1d600a20af34c986/orig.mp4?Expires=1770580372&Signature=IcBqXlRRGQdHqCD-H9JKpVQTTO1WeUHUWawTu4ZbtaaO2reW6~oVI9pDSKduz2dvhiFOMi8caizHxjLAK9ZR28T3FJEoxlkjExj8BMupL8R9NVoH~InYfrk1ycqPETvbLuzIZdHPOJauqhuB3h2bqaiU6lebRcgg6dxJNd-O1dXwQ4XBaGX84rl~54SIIrjm0RlJrx71Tnz-yMDh63auOHXvFzlpqaGi2ttdO12zpnVh-8vZDYSgiebEt~3erjQ46~3RQRufdZNmcIBn3sIDDL8XOVwFYpHwFvwPGFda-We0v0l8TyFCtQXGaU9n9kYnEDGr3AAtXISmxJbTj2g1DQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Take It Down Act supporters told the House Energy and Commerce subcommittee that existing law leaves a gap allowing exploitative but not legally defined child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and AI‑generated intimate images of minors to circulate without effective law‑enforcement or civil remedies.

Why it matters: Witnesses said the bill would let victims and their advocates seek removal and would criminalize certain exploitative publications that fall short of current CSAM definitions, while establishing reporting standards so law enforcement receives usable information.

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Chief Legal Officer Yota Suras told members that platforms often submit cyber‑tip reports lacking basic investigative details and that “Take It Down closes this gap by criminalizing the knowing publication of these images, whether real or created by Nudify apps or AI technology.” She urged a notice‑and‑removal mechanism and stronger reporting information requirements.

Dawn Hawkins of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation described survivors’ primary need as removal: “For many survivors, it’s not about prosecution; it’s about making sure those images do not continue to circulate.” Hawkins and others said voluntary takedown processes are inconsistent and that codifying a process would provide “teeth” to compel action by companies that currently ignore removal requests.

Lawmakers from both parties recounted constituent tragedies to frame urgency. Subcommittee members and the full committee chairmen repeatedly called for rapid passage of the Take It Down Act alongside other bills addressing children’s online safety.

What the bill would do: Witnesses and some members described three primary effects—(1) create a new criminal pathway for exploitative images that do not meet current CSAM thresholds, (2) require platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate images of minors after receiving notice, and (3) standardize cyber‑tip reporting to include victim/offender identifiers and content evidence so law enforcement can act.

Open questions and limits: Panelists discussed implementation details, including how to define timeframes for takedown and how to avoid impinging on lawful speech. Members asked witnesses about platform responsiveness; Suras said NCMEC publishes a list of companies that are “unacceptably slow” or nonresponsive and recommended statutory minimums for information in cyber‑tip reports.

The hearing closed with lawmakers pledging to move the bill quickly and to coordinate with Senate counterparts on final text. No formal action or vote occurred in the hearing.

Ending: Advocates said the bill would give victims a practical remedy—removal—while lawmakers signaled bipartisan support for advancing the measure through committee and to the House floor.","Witnesses and lawmakers urged Congress to pass the Take It Down Act to create notice-and-removal obligations for platforms, fill investigative gaps around non‑CSAM exploitative images, and give victims new civil and criminal remedies.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers and witnesses warn attempted firing of FTC commissioners threatens enforcement of online‑safety laws

Witnesses urge carveouts to Section 230 immunity for generative AI and highlight risks from deepfakes

Lawmakers, advocates press for COPPA updates, Kids Online Safety Act and App Store rules to bolster parental control

House hearing spotlights Take It Down Act as tool to remove nonconsensual intimate images of minors