DETOUR Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (9 Apr 2019): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What this bill does
The DETOUR Act (S. 1084) would prohibit large online operators—defined as services with more than 100 million authenticated users in a 30-day period that fall under FTC jurisdiction—from designing or modifying user interfaces in ways that impair users' ability to give informed consent or protect their data ("dark patterns"). It would also bar these companies from segmenting users into groups for behavioral or psychological research without informed consent, and from designing interfaces aimed at children under 13 that encourage compulsive usage, such as unconsented video auto-play.
The bill would require covered companies to regularly disclose to users and the public any behavioral experiments conducted for engagement or conversion purposes, and to establish independent review boards to oversee such research, registering board details with the FTC. It allows industry associations to form FTC-registered "professional standards bodies" that issue guidance and safe harbors for compliant practices. Violations would be enforced by the FTC as unfair or deceptive acts, and the agency would be required to issue implementing regulations within a year of enactment. The law would primarily affect major technology platforms and their users, particularly regarding data practices and protections for children.
The bill was introduced on April 9, 2019, by Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), with Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 116th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Deceptive Experiences To Online Users Reduction Act or the DETOUR Act This bill prohibits large online operators from manipulating their product to mislead consumers into providing personal information or giving consent. The bill further prohibits these operators from studying the behavioral patterns of subsets of users without first obtaining informed consent, and it prohibits designing online products that lead to compulsive usage by children. If meeting certain requirements, an association of large online operators may register with the Federal Trade Commission as a professional standards body to develop and promote best practices and guidance for complying with the requirements of this bill.
Timeline
9 Apr 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Common questions
- What does S. 1084 do?
- The DETOUR Act (S. 1084) would prohibit large online operators—defined as services with more than 100 million authenticated users in a 30-day period that fall under FTC jurisdiction—from designing or modifying user interfaces in ways that impair users' ability to give informed consent or protect their data ("dark patterns"). It would also bar these companies from segmenting users into groups for behavioral or psychological research without informed consent, and from designing interfaces aimed at children under 13 that encourage compulsive usage, such as unconsented video auto-play. The bill would require covered companies to regularly disclose to users and the public any behavioral experiments conducted for engagement or conversion purposes, and to establish independent review boards to oversee such research, registering board details with the FTC. It allows industry associations to form FTC-registered "professional standards bodies" that issue guidance and safe harbors for compliant practices. Violations would be enforced by the FTC as unfair or deceptive acts, and the agency would be required to issue implementing regulations within a year of enactment. The law would primarily affect major technology platforms and their users, particularly regarding data practices and protections for children. The bill was introduced on April 9, 2019, by Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), with Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) as a cosponsor, and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 116th Congress.
- Has S. 1084 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 1084. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 1084?
- S. 1084 was sponsored by Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA] (D-VA), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 1084?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (9 Apr 2019).
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