Big Tech’s Dirty Secret – The Fight Over Your Child’s Safety

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Big Tech giants spend $90 million to derail child safety legislation, prioritizing profits over protecting kids online.

Big Tech giants have poured a staggering $90 million into lobbying efforts to thwart legislation aimed at protecting children online, revealing a stark prioritization of profits over the safety of young users.

At a Glance

  • Tech companies spent over $51 million on lobbying from January to September 2024, a 14% increase from 2023
  • Meta and ByteDance were major contributors, spending $18.9 million and $8.1 million respectively
  • The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) aims to protect children from online harm, including bullying and sexual exploitation
  • Big Tech opposes KOSA’s “duty of care” provision, which holds social media companies accountable for young users’ safety
  • Personal stories of tragedy fuel advocacy for the bill, while its future remains uncertain in the House

Big Tech’s Massive Lobbying Efforts

In a brazen display of corporate muscle, tech giants have ramped up their lobbying efforts to unprecedented levels. From January to September 2024, these companies spent over $51 million on lobbying, marking a 14% increase from the same period in 2023. This surge in spending is a clear indication of Big Tech’s determination to maintain its grip on the digital landscape, even at the expense of children’s safety.

Leading the charge in this lobbying blitz are Meta and ByteDance, which spent a whopping $18.9 million and $8.1 million respectively in just nine months. These figures aren’t just numbers; they represent a concerted effort to influence policy and public opinion. Meta, in particular, deployed an army of 66 lobbyists, while ByteDance utilized 53. This overwhelming show of force demonstrates the lengths to which these companies will go to protect their interests.

The Battle Over the Kids Online Safety Act

At the heart of this lobbying storm is the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), a piece of legislation designed to protect children and teenagers from the myriad of online threats they face daily. KOSA aims to shield young users from bullying, mental health issues, addiction-like behaviors, and sexual exploitation – all of which have become rampant in the digital age. The bill’s cornerstone is the “duty of care” provision, which would hold social media platforms legally accountable for safeguarding their young users.

“Social media companies are continuing to spend millions on lobbyists and lies to kill legislation that would establish responsible online safeguards that would protect the futures of our children and our democracy” – Issue One Vice President of Technology Reform Alix Fraser

Unsurprisingly, Big Tech vehemently opposes this bill. Their argument? That responsibility should lie with parents, not corporations. They suggest requiring parental consent for app downloads by minors as an alternative. This stance conveniently shifts the burden away from their platforms, allowing them to continue profiting from young users without meaningful accountability.

Tactics and Challenges

The tech industry’s lobbying tactics are as sophisticated as they are cynical. They’ve exploited cultural issues to weaken bipartisan support for KOSA, targeting progressive lawmakers with concerns about LGBTQ+ content censorship and conservative lawmakers with warnings about anti-abortion censorship. This divide-and-conquer strategy has proven effective in creating obstacles for the bill in the narrowly split House.

“On the left and the right, they’ve tried to say whatever the cultural red flag is” – Alix Fraser

The bill faces significant challenges in the House. House Speaker Mike Johnson has called the bill “very problematic,” signaling the uphill battle it faces. This resistance, fueled by Big Tech’s lobbying, stands in stark contrast to the personal stories of tragedy that have driven advocacy for the bill.

The Human Cost of Inaction

While tech companies throw millions at lobbyists, real families continue to suffer the consequences of inadequate online protections for children. Brandon Guffey, who lost his son to online exploitation, poignantly stated, “I couldn’t protect my son, but now it’s my mission to make sure all kids are protected.” These personal tragedies underscore the urgent need for legislative action, despite Big Tech’s resistance.

As the battle over KOSA continues, it’s clear that the tech industry’s priorities lie with their bottom line rather than the safety of young users. Their massive lobbying expenditures speak volumes about their willingness to fight tooth and nail against regulations that could protect children. It’s a stark reminder that in the world of Big Tech, profits often trump the well-being of the most vulnerable members of our society.

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