KOSA’s Sinister March to Senate Approval
The Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) decision to fast-track the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) through a procedural vote has raised concerns that the bill may trample upon fundamental freedoms, despite advocates’ assurances that it will save children’s lives. With just a week left before the August recess, KOSA is on the verge of becoming law, leaving many wondering if it’s worth the risk.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) has urged fellow senators to "move quickly and clean" through the voting process, dismissing amendments that could stymie progress. However, experts argue that KOSA’s language is so vague that it could lead to arbitrary censorship of protected online speech, threatening the very fabric of the internet.
Fight for the Future Director Evan Greer accused Schumer of "throwing LGBTQ youth under the bus" by supporting a bill that could be used to restrict their right to online expression. Electronic Frontier Foundation’s Director of Federal Affairs India McKinney described KOSA as "an unconstitutional censorship bill that would give the Federal Trade Commission the power to restrict protected online speech."
As KOSA hurtles towards the finish line, it’s imperative to question its true motives and the consequences it may bring. Are we truly prioritizing the well-being of children or sacrificing fundamental rights in the name of vague promises to "save their lives"?
The clock is ticking, and it’s crucial that we remain vigilant in the face of KOSA’s relentless march towards approval.
