PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 29, 2024
Bots Research Act
This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to establish a task force to study and report on the impact of automated accounts on social media, public discourse, and elections.
Specifically, the study must assess (1) what qualifies as a bot or automated account; (2) the extent to which automated accounts are used; (3) how automated accounts are used; and (4) how to most effectively combat any use of automated accounts that negatively effects social media, public discourse, and elections while continuing to promote the protection of the First Amendment.
The task force must provide Congress and relevant federal agencies with the results and conclusions of its study within one year after the task force is established.
People & committees
Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10] · D–CA
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Oct 19, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.7492 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
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