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Social media liability for hosting child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

This Act imposes civil liability on large social media platforms for knowingly or recklessly hosting or distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). It establishes a mechanism where any citizen can report such content, and the company has 10 days to remove it, or face a civil penalty. Citizens gain the right to initiate legal action on behalf of the government if the company fails to act, significantly enhancing online safety and providing tools to combat this crime.
Key points
New Liability: Social media companies (excluding P2P messaging services) face civil liability for hosting or distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
Notice and Takedown Obligation: Companies must provide an accessible process for individuals to report illegal content. They must remove the content within 10 days of receiving notice to maintain liability protection.
Citizen Lawsuits (Qui Tam): Individuals who report content that is not removed within 10 days can bring a lawsuit on behalf of the U.S. Government to recover a civil penalty (between $100,000 and $500,000).
Legal Protection Removal: The Act explicitly states that Section 230 of the Communications Act does not limit claims brought under this new civil liability provision.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 118_S_823
Sponsor: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Process start date: 2023-03-15
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-flash-latest
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

END CSAM Act

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 118_S_823.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2023-03-15.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • New Liability: Social media companies (excluding P2P messaging services) face civil liability for hosting or distributing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
  • Notice and Takedown Obligation: Companies must provide an accessible process for individuals to report illegal content. They must remove the content within 10 days of receiving notice to maintain liability protection.
  • Citizen Lawsuits (Qui Tam): Individuals who report content that is not removed within 10 days can bring a lawsuit on behalf of the U.S. Government to recover a civil penalty (between $100,000 and $500,000).
  • Legal Protection Removal: The Act explicitly states that Section 230 of the Communications Act does not limit claims brought under this new civil liability provision.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Introduced in Senate

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-27.

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