Biden requests bipartisan legislation to regulate Big Tech.

In an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal, President Joe Biden has called on Democrats and Republicans in Congress to work together on bipartisan legislation to regulate major technology companies. Biden expressed concerns about how some companies collect and exploit personal data, deepen extremism, and violate civil rights without naming any specific businesses. He emphasized the need for federal privacy protections, especially for young people, and proposed limits on data collection, use, and sharing.

Reforming Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content, was also highlighted by Biden. He urged for more transparency from tech companies regarding algorithms to prevent discrimination and protect mental health. Additionally, Biden addressed the importance of competition in the tech industry, calling for fair rules to allow small and midsized businesses to compete with larger companies on an equal playing field.

The president acknowledged some progress made by his administration in promoting competition and urged Congress to take bipartisan action to hold Big Tech accountable. He called for action to protect privacy, children, prevent discrimination, sexual exploitation, and tackle anticompetitive behavior, emphasizing the importance of uniting behind shared values to address these issues effectively.

Political Landscape Post-2022 Midterm Election

Following the 2022 midterm election, Biden is now contending with a split Congress. Democrats managed to hang onto control of the Senate but lost the House to the Republicans.

Biden’s Challenges and Strategies

That will make it more difficult for Biden to carry out his agenda. By publishing an op-ed in a major newspaper, he’ll be looking to earn support from the public on these issues and put pressure on Republicans to acquiesce.