DETOUR Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (7 Dec 2021): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What this bill does
S. 3330, the DETOUR Act, would prohibit large online operators—defined as services with more than 100 million authenticated users per month that fall under FTC jurisdiction—from designing user interfaces in ways that undermine users' autonomy or decision-making to obtain consent or personal data. It would also bar segmenting users into groups for behavioral or psychological research without informed consent, and prohibit interface designs directed at children that encourage compulsive usage, including certain autoplay features. Operators conducting behavioral research would have to regularly disclose the nature of that research to affected users and the public, delete improperly obtained data, and establish independent review boards to oversee such research, which would register with the Federal Trade Commission.
The bill primarily affects a small number of very large technology platforms (such as major social networks, search engines, or email services) and their users, particularly children. It also allows industry groups to form FTC-registered "professional standards bodies" to set compliance guidance, and operators that follow such guidance in good faith would have a safe harbor from FTC enforcement. The FTC would enforce violations as unfair or deceptive practices under existing FTC Act authority and would be required to issue implementing regulations within a year of enactment.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on December 7, 2021, by Senator Mark Warner with several cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It did not receive a committee vote or further action before the end of the 117th Congress, meaning it did not become law.
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 (FTC) as a professional standards body to develop and promote best practices and guidance for complying with the requirements of this bill.
The bill provides authority for the FTC to enforce the requirements of this bill.
Timeline
7 Dec 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Common questions
- What does S. 3330 do?
- S. 3330, the DETOUR Act, would prohibit large online operators—defined as services with more than 100 million authenticated users per month that fall under FTC jurisdiction—from designing user interfaces in ways that undermine users' autonomy or decision-making to obtain consent or personal data. It would also bar segmenting users into groups for behavioral or psychological research without informed consent, and prohibit interface designs directed at children that encourage compulsive usage, including certain autoplay features. Operators conducting behavioral research would have to regularly disclose the nature of that research to affected users and the public, delete improperly obtained data, and establish independent review boards to oversee such research, which would register with the Federal Trade Commission. The bill primarily affects a small number of very large technology platforms (such as major social networks, search engines, or email services) and their users, particularly children. It also allows industry groups to form FTC-registered "professional standards bodies" to set compliance guidance, and operators that follow such guidance in good faith would have a safe harbor from FTC enforcement. The FTC would enforce violations as unfair or deceptive practices under existing FTC Act authority and would be required to issue implementing regulations within a year of enactment. The bill was introduced in the Senate on December 7, 2021, by Senator Mark Warner with several cosponsors, and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It did not receive a committee vote or further action before the end of the 117th Congress, meaning it did not become law.
- Has S. 3330 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 3330. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 3330?
- S. 3330 was sponsored by Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA] (D-VA), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 3330?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (7 Dec 2021).
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