Statement: Meta sextortion campaign is attempt to delay Congressional action

Below is a statement by Fairplay Executive Director Josh Golin: 

This is another attempt by Meta to delay Congressional action so that the company can continue to make massive profits through its addictive and dangerous design. Many vulnerable children have already died as a result of sextortion on Meta’s platforms. If Meta really cares about that, it should stop trying to obstruct the passage of the Kids Online Safety Act, which would require platforms to prevent and mitigate child sexual abuse and sextortion from day one, not just when the company is trying to ward off regulation.  

Furthermore, KOSA would require companies like Meta to work with outside auditors to disclose what harms are taking place on their platform and how effective their mitigation efforts are. Without this critical transparency, there is no way to know whether measures like those announced today are effective and protecting children or just more window dressing. 

We urge leaders in the House not to be fooled by this latest PR stunt and to work with leaders in the Senate to pass a strong version of KOSA this year.