Big Tech mounts divide and conquer bid in Washington to kill Kids Online Safety Act: sources

Google, Meta and their Big Tech allies have stoked outrage on both sides of the aisle in a desperate scramble to derail the Kids Online Safety Act – and critics say it’s a cynical attempt to protect their profits at the expense of minors.Critics of KOSA have portrayed the legislation – which would impose a legal “duty of care” to ensure social-media apps shield kids from sexual abuse, drug addiction and risky stunts that can cause injury or even death – as a troubling censorship bill.In a twist that has riled KOSA proponents on Capitol Hill, advocates for Big Tech appear to be tailoring their message depending on which constituency they’re trying to influence, according to sources.NetChoice, an influential right-of-center tech trade group, claims KOSA is unconstitutional and would result in “increased government power over families’ decision-making.” Elsewhere, opponents of the bill circulated an unsigned memo that described KOSA as a “huge threat to pro-life groups” that could allow Democrats to “shut down the pro-life movement.”On the other hand, the left-wing Chamber of Progress has called the bill “anti-LGBTQ+” and alleged that the Heritage Foundation, which supports KOSA, will use it to advance “the extremist ‘Project 2025’ agenda.”“They’re in everyone’s ears,” said Alix Fraser, director of the Council for Responsible Social Media.“It’s a comprehensive and really massive effort by them to try to dilute trust on the left and right.

They’re really making their best efforts to divide and conquer.”Lobbying has intensified amidst clear signs that KOSA and a companion bill called COPPA 2.0 have broad bipartisan support in Congress.The Senate passed the bills by a whopping 91-3 margin in July.

A House panel advanced the child safety bills earlier this month, clearing the way for a potential floor vote.Still, it remains unclear if the bill will pass a gridlocked House before the end of the year.Congress is in...