Platform Accountability and Transparency Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (1 Dec 2025): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
What this bill does
The Platform Accountability and Transparency Act, introduced in the Senate, aims to support research on the societal impact of large internet companies. It would establish secure pathways for independent researchers to access certain data held by these companies. The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would oversee this process, setting guidelines for what data qualifies as "qualified data" and establishing strict privacy and cybersecurity safeguards.
This bill would affect large internet companies (platforms) with over 50 million U.S. users that host user-generated content and serve as a medium for user interaction and advertising. It would also impact qualified researchers affiliated with U.S. universities or non-profit organizations who propose research projects focused on platform activity for non-commercial, public interest purposes. Researchers from law enforcement or intelligence agencies would be excluded.
The bill was introduced on December 1, 2025, by Senator Coons and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It has not yet moved beyond the introduction stage. If passed by Congress and signed into law, the NSF would have one year to establish the required research program.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
1 Dec 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Common questions
- What does S. 3292 do?
- The Platform Accountability and Transparency Act, introduced in the Senate, aims to support research on the societal impact of large internet companies. It would establish secure pathways for independent researchers to access certain data held by these companies. The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would oversee this process, setting guidelines for what data qualifies as "qualified data" and establishing strict privacy and cybersecurity safeguards. This bill would affect large internet companies (platforms) with over 50 million U.S. users that host user-generated content and serve as a medium for user interaction and advertising. It would also impact qualified researchers affiliated with U.S. universities or non-profit organizations who propose research projects focused on platform activity for non-commercial, public interest purposes. Researchers from law enforcement or intelligence agencies would be excluded. The bill was introduced on December 1, 2025, by Senator Coons and referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. It has not yet moved beyond the introduction stage. If passed by Congress and signed into law, the NSF would have one year to establish the required research program.
- Has S. 3292 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 3292. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 3292?
- S. 3292 was sponsored by Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE] (D-DE), with 2 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 3292?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (1 Dec 2025).
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