Bill updates handling of cybercrimes against kids
President Joe Biden last week signed into law a bill modernizing and streamlining how websites and social media companies report sexual exploitation of children online and heightening penalties for tech companies that fail to report cybercrimes against children.
The Revising Existing Procedures on Reporting via Technology Act – or the REPORT Act – is a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., and U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, DGa.
“Children are increasingly looking at screens, and the reality is that the internet and social media leaves more innocent kids at risk of online exploitation,” Blackburn said in a statement.
The law creates new reporting requirements for big tech companies for crimes against children, including sex trafficking, grooming or enticement of children for sexual acts. Previously, federal law only required tech companies to report child sexual abuse.
Tech companies will be required to report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s CyberTipline, the centralized reporting system for child exploitation online. Victims and their parents may also report abuse directly to the center. The NCMEC shares reports filed with relevant law enforcement agencies.
Last year, more than 32 million reports were made to the CyberTipline, with more than 88 million images and videos reporting child sexual exploitation, according to the NCMEC.
The new law also toughens penalties for tech companies that knowingly and willfully fail to report crimes against children, establishing fines of between $150,000 and $1 million depending on the crime and the size of the company. The law also requires evidence to be preserved for one year, instead of the current 90 days, giving law enforcement more time to investigate and prosecute crimes.
Reporting requirements will begin 180 days after the bill’s enactment.
“My bipartisan law with Senator Blackburn will ensure tech companies are held accountable to report and remove child sex abuse material and to strengthen protection for kids online,” Ossoff said in a statement. “At a time of such division in Congress, we successfully brought Republicans and Democrats together to protect kids on the internet, and now our bill is law.”
Strengthening laws to prevent cybercrimes against children has been a priority for Blackburn, who also sponsored the END Child Exploitation Act, passed by the Senate in 2022.
The NCMEC endorsed the legislation, as did the International Justice Mission, Fraternal Order of Police, ChildFund International and others.
“Identifying, arresting and prosecuting those who prey on the most vulnerable in our society should be a priority, and we believe that this bill provides the tools law enforcement needs to stop these predators,” FOP President Patrick Yoes said.
House companion legislation was led by U.S. Reps. Laurel Lee, R-Fla., Susie Lee, D-Nev., Mariannette MillerMeeks, R-Iowa and Madeleine Dean, DPa.