H.R. 3611: Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act

117th Congress · introduced 2021-05-28 · Science, Technology, Communications · Latest: Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

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Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2021-05-28 · official record
Who proposed it: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-6] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Referred to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act

Plain summary

Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act This bill establishes requirements for certain commercial online platforms (e.g., social media sites) that withhold or promote content through algorithms and related computational processes that use personal information. The platforms must make disclosures about their collection and use of personal information and their content moderation practices; retain specified records that describe how the algorithms use personal information and assess whether the algorithms produce disparate outcomes based on race and other demographic factors in terms of access to housing, employment, financial services, and related matters; employ algorithms safely and effectively; and allow users to access and transfer their personal information. If a platform uses algorithms to publish or sell advertising, it must maintain a library of the advertisements. The Federal Trade Commission must also adopt rules concerning deceptive advertising. A platform's chief executive officer or other senior officer must certify compliance with disclosure requirements. Additionally, platforms may not (1) employ algorithms or other design features that result in discrimination or similar harms based on demographic or biometric factors, or (2) process information such that it impairs voting rights. Further, users of a platform may not violate civil rights laws using the platform's algorithms. The bill prohibits waivers or other methods that limit rights under the bill; provides whistleblower protections for individuals who report violations; and authorizes enforcement by specified federal agencies, states, and private individuals. The bill also provides funding for an interagency task force to study the discriminatory use of personal information by platforms' algorithms.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

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If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-6] · 11 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Jamie Raskin (D-MD)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-6] reported raising $7.8 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)

Bill: A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Rulemaking: The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-117hr3611.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/117/hr>

Record fed-us-cong117-hr3611 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117