Technology
Privacy, artificial intelligence, online safety for children, and platform rules.
There is no comprehensive federal privacy law, so states have written their own. That makes your state legislature the most active venue for privacy, artificial intelligence and online safety rules, while Congress holds platform liability and federal agency authority.
Who decides this
- Congress
- Section 230, federal privacy proposals, FTC authority, spectrum, and child online safety law.
- Your state
- Consumer privacy statutes, biometric and AI rules, age verification, and data breach notification.
- Your city or county
- Surveillance technology ordinances, including police use of facial recognition and automated plate readers.
In Congress Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation · Senate Judiciary · House Energy and Commerce
9 open questions
H.R. 5061
Should local police get power to disable threatening drones?
The Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act (H.R. 5061) would renew federal counter-drone authorities and — for the first time — pilot letting designated state and local law enforcement detect, track, and disable drones that threaten stadiums, airports, and public events. The committee approved it 60-0, and the current state/local pilot authority expires September 30, 2026, forcing the question this fall. Supporters say expiring, patchwork authority leaves mass gatherings exposed; civil-liberties groups warn police could down journalists' and protesters' drones with no due process. Where do you stand?
S. 278
Should Congress Ban Children Under 13 From Holding Social Media Accounts?
The bill would bar under-13s from social media accounts. Supporters cite youth mental health; opponents cite enforcement and privacy trade-offs. Where do you land?
S. 1586
Should App Stores Verify Users' Ages and Get Parental Consent for Minors?
The bill would require app stores to verify age and get parental consent for minors. Supporters cite child safety; opponents cite privacy and practicality. Where do you land?
S. 1367
Should Congress Create a Federal Right Against AI Deepfakes of Your Voice and Likeness?
The bill would create a federal right against unauthorized AI replicas of a person's voice or image. Supporters cite protection from fraud and abuse; opponents cite free-speech and innovation concerns. Where do you land?
S. 2619 · MA
Should Massachusetts let residents sue companies that mishandle their personal data?
The Massachusetts Data Privacy Act (S. 2619) would create the state's first comprehensive consumer privacy law, limiting how much personal data companies can collect and how they use it. After unanimous votes in both chambers, a conference committee is now deciding whether to keep the House-added "private right of action" that would let residents sue large data holders directly. Supporters say strong limits plus a right to sue give the law teeth; opponents warn it could spark settlement-driven lawsuits that burden businesses. Where do you stand?
S. 1748
Should online platforms have a legal "duty of care" to protect kids from harmful design?
The Kids Online Safety Act (S. 1748) would require covered online platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent and reduce harms to minors from features that maximize their engagement. The Senate Commerce Committee advanced it on August 5, 2026, and it now awaits a Senate floor vote. Supporters say it finally holds platforms accountable for designs that hurt kids; critics warn the "duty of care" could pressure platforms to over-censor lawful speech. Where do you stand?
H.R. 139
Should daylight saving time be permanent?
The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act (H.R. 139), which would make daylight saving time permanent and end the twice-yearly clock change, putting the country on the time it now observes from March to November. Supporters say more evening daylight and no more switching is worth it; sleep scientists counter that if we stop switching, permanent standard time is the healthier choice. It now goes to the Senate. Where do you stand?
S. 4825
Should the public get an ownership stake in big AI companies?
Sen. Bernie Sanders introduced the American AI Sovereign Wealth Fund Act (S. 4825), which would place a one-time 50% tax, paid in stock, on AI companies with over $200 million in annual AI revenue, putting those shares in a public fund that pays dividends to Americans. Supporters say it shares AI's gains broadly; critics call it a government takeover that would chill investment. Where do you stand?
Federal policy
How Should America Regulate AI?
Congress is weighing federal AI rules — and whether to preempt the state laws already on the books. Some want strong national guardrails; others warn heavy rules could slow innovation or lock in weak protections. Where do you stand?
Common questions
- Who protects my personal data?
- Mostly your state. In the absence of a federal privacy law, state statutes set what companies may collect and what rights you have.
- Who decides if police can use facial recognition?
- Often your city council, sometimes your state legislature. Several cities restricted it before any state did.