SCREEN Act

Summary

Requires for‑profit online platforms that create, host, or make available content that is harmful to minors to implement technological age‑verification measures and block access to pornographic, obscene, or child‑sexual content by minors. The Federal Trade Commission will write guidance, audit compliance, consult outside experts, and enforce violations under existing FTC unfair‑or‑deceptive practices authority; the Government Accountability Office must report on effectiveness and impacts after platforms have had time to comply.

• For‑profit online platforms that regularly host content harmful to minors must implement technological age verification and block minors from pornographic/obscene content.
• Verification must be a technological process (not self‑attestation), apply to IP addresses including known VPNs unless users are determined to be outside the U.S., and be publicly documented.
• Verification data must be secured and retained only as long as reasonably necessary to operate verification or to show compliance.
• The Federal Trade Commission will issue guidance, consult outside experts, audit platforms, and enforce violations under the FTC Act.
• Platforms may use third‑party verification vendors but remain legally responsible for compliance and data security.
• The Government Accountability Office must report on effectiveness, compliance, data security, and societal effects within two years after compliance begins.
• The law defines covered content and platforms narrowly, adopting statutory definitions for child pornography and related sexual terms and a three‑part test for material harmful to minors.
• Guidance from the FTC is advisory and cannot alone form the basis of an enforcement action; enforcement requires alleging specific statutory violations.
• A severability clause preserves other provisions if part of the law is found unconstitutional.