Platform Accountability and Transparency Act

Senate Bill

S. 3292

119th Congress

Platform Accountability and Transparency Act

In Committee

Introduced:Dec 1, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Christopher Coons

D - DE

Cosponsors

1

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Summary

The Platform Accountability and Transparency Act creates a framework for independent researchers at universities and nonprofits to access data from large social media platforms (50+ million monthly U.S. users) for studying their societal impact. The NSF would approve qualified research projects and the FTC would enforce compliance, with privacy protections excluding direct messages, biometrics, and precise location data.

Latest Action

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

The Platform Accountability and Transparency Act creates a framework for independent researchers at universities and nonprofits to access data from large social media platforms (50+ million monthly U.S. users) for studying their societal impact. The NSF would approve qualified research projects and the FTC would enforce compliance, with privacy protections excluding direct messages, biometrics, and precise location data.

Last updated: 12/27/2025

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Applies to platforms with 50+ million monthly U.S. users (Facebook, TikTok, etc.)
NSF reviews and approves qualified research projects
Researchers must be affiliated with U.S. universities or nonprofits
Excludes direct messages, biometrics, and precise geolocation from data access
FTC enforces platform compliance with data sharing requirements
Bipartisan sponsorship: Coons (D-DE) and Cassidy (R-LA)

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Affects major social media companies (Meta, TikTok, X, YouTube, etc.) by requiring data sharing with approved researchers. Benefits academic researchers studying misinformation, mental health impacts, and algorithmic effects. Users gain from increased transparency about platform practices. Platforms face new compliance costs but receive legal immunity when sharing data with qualified researchers.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

3292, 119th Congress (2025). "Platform Accountability and Transparency Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/119-s-3292