H 7954Technology

Commercial Law - General Regulatory Provisions - Digital Platform Transparency and Democratic Integrity Act

This bill requires large social media platforms to explain how they rank posts and to label AI-generated fake content.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Feb 27, 2026Committee House Innovation, Internet, & Technology

Plain-English Summary

This bill enacts the "Digital Platform Transparency and Democratic Integrity Act." It applies to large social media platforms with over one million users. The legislation mandates that these platforms disclose how their algorithms rank content, including whether they use behavioral profiling or financial incentives to boost posts. It also requires platforms to implement measures to identify and label "synthetic media" (content generated or altered by AI). The bill prohibits deceptive practices regarding the neutrality of content feeds and establishes penalties of up to $10,000 for knowing violations, enforceable by the Attorney General.

For younger readers

This law creates new rules for big social media apps like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube. It says these companies must explain to people how they decide which videos or pictures appear at the top of your screen. They also have to tell you if a video or picture was made by a computer (AI) so you don't get tricked into thinking it is real. If the companies lie about how they work or don't label the fake computer-made videos, they can get in trouble and have to pay a fine.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Social Media UsersLarge Digital Platforms (e.g. Meta, X, TikTok)Digital AdvertisersContent CreatorsPolitical Organizations

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

Moderate risk

Moderate Risk. While the bill explicitly states it does not conflict with Section 230 or regulate speech based on viewpoint, compelling platforms to disclose their editorial processes (algorithms) often faces First Amendment challenges regarding "compelled speech." Additionally, because internet platforms operate globally, state-specific regulations on their internal operations frequently face challenges under the Interstate Commerce Clause for placing an undue burden on interstate commerce.

Estimated cost

Amount unknown

Estimated revenue

Amount unknown

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Increases corporate accountability by forcing Big Tech companies to be transparent about how they manipulate public discourse and consumer behavior through opaque algorithms.
Protects the community from disinformation and manipulation by requiring the identification and labeling of deepfakes and synthetic media that could distort democratic processes.
Empowers the Attorney General to take legal action against powerful corporations that engage in deceptive trade practices, strengthening the state's ability to protect consumers.
The penalties may be considered too weak to deter multi-billion dollar corporations, as a $10,000 fine is negligible for companies like Meta or Google.
Relies on "commercially reasonable" standards for compliance, which could provide a loophole for corporations to avoid strict enforcement or meaningful change.
Does not provide for financial damages to individual residents who are harmed by these platforms, limiting the ability of the poor or disadvantaged to seek restitution.

For Conservatives

Combats "shadow banning" and bias by forcing platforms to disclose if they are suppressing content or if their claim of being a "neutral" platform is false.
Addresses national security and election integrity concerns by targeting "coordinated inauthentic behavior" specifically from foreign-controlled entities.
Protects consumers from fraud by requiring the identification of AI-generated content, preventing individuals from being misled by fake statements or events.
Represents significant government overreach into the operations of private businesses, mandating how they must display content and manage their internal technology.
Could be weaponized by a partisan Attorney General to target platforms that host conservative viewpoints under the guise of fighting "deceptive practices" or "misinformation."
Creates a disjointed regulatory environment where a single state imposes burdening regulations on global commerce, potentially violating the principles of a free and open interstate market.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 76 additions

SECTION 1. Legislative findings and purpose. The general assembly finds and declares that:

(1) Large digital platforms function as primary forums for public discourse and civic engagement;

(2) Algorithmic ranking systems determine the visibility, amplification, and suppression of content shown to users;

(3) The criteria used to rank and amplify content are generally opaque and may materially shape public understanding and consumer decision-making;

(4) Synthetic media, automated amplification, coordinated inauthentic behavior, and foreign-sponsored influence campaigns have been used to mislead consumers and distort public discourse;

(5) Consumers in Rhode Island are entitled to accurate, factual information regarding how content is curated, ranked, and amplified;

(6) The State has a compelling interest in preventing materially deceptive digital practices and preserving the conditions necessary for informed democratic self-governance.

SECTION 2. Title 6 of the General Laws entitled "COMMERCIAL LAW — GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter: 6-63-1. Definitions. As used in this chapter:

(1) "Algorithmic ranking system" means an automated computational process used to prioritize, recommend, amplify, demote, or suppress content based on user data, engagement metrics, behavioral profiling, or other automated inputs.

(2) "Covered platform" means an online service, website, or application that:

(i) Has more than one million (1,000,000) monthly active users nationally; and

(ii) Allows users to create profiles and generate or share content visible to other users.

(3) "Synthetic media" means audio, video, image, or text content that has been materially generated or altered using artificial intelligence or automated technologies in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to believe the content depicts a real individual, statement, or event that did not occur.

(4) "Coordinated inauthentic behavior" means the use of false identities, automated accounts, or deceptive attribution practices to artificially amplify content.

(5) "Foreign-controlled entity" means an entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a foreign government or foreign national as defined under federal election law. 6-63-2. Applicability.

(a) This chapter shall apply only to content presented to users physically located within the State of Rhode Island.

(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to regulate commerce occurring wholly outside the State of Rhode Island. 6-63-3. Algorithmic transparency requirements.

(a) A covered platform shall publicly disclose, in clear and plain language:

(1) The primary factors used to determine ranking, recommendation, amplification, or suppression of content;

(2) Whether engagement-based metrics materially affect content visibility;

(3) Whether paid promotion, sponsored placement, or financial incentives influence content prioritization; and

(4) Whether behavioral profiling materially influences content personalization.

(b) A covered platform shall clearly disclose to users physically located within the state whether content is presented chronologically or through algorithmic ranking.

(c) Nothing in this section shall require disclosure of proprietary source code, trade secrets, or confidential business information. 6-63-4. Synthetic media identification and disclosure.

(a) A covered platform shall implement and maintain commercially reasonable policies and technical measures designed to detect synthetic media that materially depicts real individuals, statements, or events.

(b) Upon actual knowledge or reasonable detection of synthetic media, a covered platform shall clearly and conspicuously disclose that such content has been generated or materially altered using artificial intelligence.

(d) Nothing in this section shall require continuous monitoring of user content or proactive surveillance beyond commercially reasonable detection practices. 6-63-5. Prohibited deceptive practices. It shall constitute an unfair and deceptive trade practice under chapter 13.1 of title 6 for a covered platform to:

(1) Materially misrepresent the operation of its algorithmic ranking systems;

(2) Make an objectively verifiable and materially false representation that its content feed is neutral, unbiased, or organic where algorithmic amplification materially alters content visibility without disclosure;

(3) Knowingly fail to provide the disclosures required under this chapter; and

(4) Knowingly permit coordinated inauthentic behavior by foreign-controlled entities after receiving actual notice of such activity. 6-63-6. Enforcement.

(a) The attorney general may enforce violations of this chapter pursuant to chapter 13.1 of title 6.

(b) Any Rhode Island resident materially harmed by a violation of this chapter may bring a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief.

(c) Civil penalties shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per knowing violation. Each day a knowing violation continues shall constitute a separate violation.

(d) No damages shall be awarded absent proof that the covered platform intentionally or recklessly violated this chapter. 6-63-7. Construction.

(a) This chapter shall be construed as a content-neutral regulation of commercial conduct and transparency.

(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to:

(1) Regulate speech based on viewpoint or ideology;

(2) Require a platform to host or remove specific content;

(3) Impose liability for third-party content;

(4) Conflict with 47 U.S.C. § 230;

(5) Require continuous monitoring of user speech. 6-63-8. Severability. If any provision of this chapter is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions that can be given effect without the invalid provision, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.