WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) has joined Senate Commerce Committee Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-TX) and several Republican colleagues in introducing the Transparency in Enforcement, Restricting, and Monitoring of Services (TERMS) Act. The proposed legislation seeks to increase oversight and accountability among major technology companies, particularly regarding how they enforce their terms of service.
The TERMS Act is intended to address concerns that some online platforms use broadly defined terms of service to censor content, particularly based on political viewpoints. The bill would mandate more specific acceptable use policies and require companies to provide advance written notice when these policies are updated. Additionally, it would require platforms to give users written explanations before terminating services, along with an annual public report on enforcement actions.
Senator Cruz echoed similar sentiments, referencing prior investigations by the Commerce Committee. “These discriminatory policies have cost businesses thousands of dollars in lost revenue and forced conservatives to choose between self-censorship or ceasing operations altogether,” he said.
The TERMS Act is co-sponsored by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jim Risch (R-ID), and Eric Schmitt (R-MO). The legislation has received backing from several advocacy and policy groups, including the Independent Women’s Forum and Parents Defending Education Action.
