ACCESS Act of 2019
Latest action (22 Oct 2019): Introduced
What this bill does
The ACCESS Act of 2019 (S. 2658) would require the largest online communications platforms—those with more than 100 million U.S. monthly active users that profit from user data—to make it easier for consumers to move their data to, or communicate across, competing services. Covered companies would have to provide secure tools for users to export their data, maintain interfaces allowing interoperability with competing communications services on fair and nondiscriminatory terms, and allow users to authorize a "custodial third-party agent" to manage their accounts. Platforms could charge reasonable fees for high-volume access and could restrict access to protect security, but generally could not use data obtained through these interfaces for other commercial purposes.
The bill primarily affects large technology and communications companies (such as major social media, messaging, or platform providers), smaller competing communications providers seeking interoperability, and any third-party agents users authorize to manage their accounts. Consumers would gain new rights to transfer their data and communicate across platforms more easily. The Federal Trade Commission would write implementing rules, handle registration of third-party agents, and enforce the law as an unfair-or-deceptive-practices violation; the National Institute of Standards and Technology would develop related technical standards.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on October 22, 2019, and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It has not received a committee vote or floor action, and this version of the bill 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
Augmenting Compatibility and Competition by Enabling Service Switching Act of 2019 or the ACCESS Act of 2019 This bill requires large communications platform providers with more than 100 million monthly users (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) to establish interfaces (e.g., application programming interfaces [APIs]) that make user data portable and services interoperable. These interfaces must be made available for users and competitor platforms to access and transfer such user data. Competitors accessing user data through an interface must keep the data reasonably secure and may not use it for commercial purposes. Users also may designate third parties that meet certain requirements, including registering with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), to manage their user data. A communications platform may place reasonable limits on competitors' access to its interoperability interface. The bill further requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop model technical standards for implementing platform interoperability.
Common questions
- What does S. 2658 do?
- The ACCESS Act of 2019 (S. 2658) would require the largest online communications platforms—those with more than 100 million U.S. monthly active users that profit from user data—to make it easier for consumers to move their data to, or communicate across, competing services. Covered companies would have to provide secure tools for users to export their data, maintain interfaces allowing interoperability with competing communications services on fair and nondiscriminatory terms, and allow users to authorize a "custodial third-party agent" to manage their accounts. Platforms could charge reasonable fees for high-volume access and could restrict access to protect security, but generally could not use data obtained through these interfaces for other commercial purposes. The bill primarily affects large technology and communications companies (such as major social media, messaging, or platform providers), smaller competing communications providers seeking interoperability, and any third-party agents users authorize to manage their accounts. Consumers would gain new rights to transfer their data and communicate across platforms more easily. The Federal Trade Commission would write implementing rules, handle registration of third-party agents, and enforce the law as an unfair-or-deceptive-practices violation; the National Institute of Standards and Technology would develop related technical standards. The bill was introduced in the Senate on October 22, 2019, and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It has not received a committee vote or floor action, and this version of the bill did not advance further in the 116th Congress.
- Has S. 2658 become law?
- Not yet. As of 22 Oct 2019, S. 2658 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 2658?
- S. 2658 was sponsored by Sen. Mark Warner [D-VA] (Democrat-VA), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 2658?
- Introduced (22 Oct 2019).
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