AN ACT RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS -- DIGITAL PLATFORM TRANSPARENCY AND DEMOCRATIC INTEGRITY ACT (Regulates how certain large social media platforms utilize algorithms.)

H7954

2026 -- H 7954
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LC005174
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --
DIGITAL PLATFORM TRANSPARENCY AND DEMOCRATIC INTEGRITY ACT

Introduced By:
Representatives Potter, Caldwell, Boylan, Cortvriend, Dawson, Carson,
Spears, Voas, McNamara, and Speakman

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Innovation, Internet, & Technology
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Legislative findings and purpose.
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The general assembly finds and declares that:
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(1) Large digital platforms function as primary forums for public discourse and civic
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engagement;
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(2) Algorithmic ranking systems determine the visibility, amplification, and suppression of
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content shown to users;
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(3) The criteria used to rank and amplify content are generally opaque and may materially
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shape public understanding and consumer decision-making;
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(4) Synthetic media, automated amplification, coordinated inauthentic behavior, and
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foreign-sponsored influence campaigns have been used to mislead consumers and distort public
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discourse;
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(5) Consumers in Rhode Island are entitled to accurate, factual information regarding how
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content is curated, ranked, and amplified;
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(6) The State has a compelling interest in preventing materially deceptive digital practices
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and preserving the conditions necessary for informed democratic self-governance.
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SECTION 2. Title 6 of the General Laws entitled "COMMERCIAL LAW — GENERAL
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REGULATORY PROVISIONS" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 63

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DIGITAL PLATFORM TRANSPARENCY AND DEMOCRATIC INTEGRITY ACT
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6-63-1. Definitions.

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As used in this chapter:
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(1) "Algorithmic ranking system" means an automated computational process used to
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prioritize, recommend, amplify, demote, or suppress content based on user data, engagement
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metrics, behavioral profiling, or other automated inputs.
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(2) "Covered platform" means an online service, website, or application that:
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(i) Has more than one million (1,000,000) monthly active users nationally; and
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(ii) Allows users to create profiles and generate or share content visible to other users.
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(3) "Synthetic media" means audio, video, image, or text content that has been materially
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generated or altered using artificial intelligence or automated technologies in a manner that would
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cause a reasonable person to believe the content depicts a real individual, statement, or event that
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did not occur.
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(4) "Coordinated inauthentic behavior" means the use of false identities, automated
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accounts, or deceptive attribution practices to artificially amplify content.
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(5) "Foreign-controlled entity" means an entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly,
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by a foreign government or foreign national as defined under federal election law.
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6-63-2. Applicability.

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(a) This chapter shall apply only to content presented to users physically located within the
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State of Rhode Island.
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(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to regulate commerce occurring wholly
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outside the State of Rhode Island.
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6-63-3. Algorithmic transparency requirements.

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(a) A covered platform shall publicly disclose, in clear and plain language:
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(1) The primary factors used to determine ranking, recommendation, amplification, or
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suppression of content;
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(2) Whether engagement-based metrics materially affect content visibility;
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(3) Whether paid promotion, sponsored placement, or financial incentives influence
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content prioritization; and
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(4) Whether behavioral profiling materially influences content personalization.
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(b) A covered platform shall clearly disclose to users physically located within the state
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whether content is presented chronologically or through algorithmic ranking.
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(c) Nothing in this section shall require disclosure of proprietary source code, trade secrets,
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or confidential business information.

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6-63-4. Synthetic media identification and disclosure.

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(a) A covered platform shall implement and maintain commercially reasonable policies
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and technical measures designed to detect synthetic media that materially depicts real individuals,
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statements, or events.
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(b) Upon actual knowledge or reasonable detection of synthetic media, a covered platform
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shall clearly and conspicuously disclose that such content has been generated or materially altered
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using artificial intelligence.
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(c) Compliance with this section shall be evaluated based on commercially reasonable
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industry standards.
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(d) Nothing in this section shall require continuous monitoring of user content or proactive
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surveillance beyond commercially reasonable detection practices.
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6-63-5. Prohibited deceptive practices.

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It shall constitute an unfair and deceptive trade practice under chapter 13.1 of title 6 for a
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covered platform to:
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(1) Materially misrepresent the operation of its algorithmic ranking systems;
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(2) Make an objectively verifiable and materially false representation that its content feed
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is neutral, unbiased, or organic where algorithmic amplification materially alters content visibility
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without disclosure;
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(3) Knowingly fail to provide the disclosures required under this chapter; and
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(4) Knowingly permit coordinated inauthentic behavior by foreign-controlled entities after
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receiving actual notice of such activity.
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6-63-6. Enforcement.

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(a) The attorney general may enforce violations of this chapter pursuant to chapter 13.1 of
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title 6.
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(b) Any Rhode Island resident materially harmed by a violation of this chapter may bring
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a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief.
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(c) Civil penalties shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per knowing violation.
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Each day a knowing violation continues shall constitute a separate violation.
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(d) No damages shall be awarded absent proof that the covered platform intentionally or
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recklessly violated this chapter.
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6-63-7. Construction.

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(a) This chapter shall be construed as a content-neutral regulation of commercial conduct
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and transparency.
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(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to:

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(1) Regulate speech based on viewpoint or ideology;
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(2) Require a platform to host or remove specific content;
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(3) Impose liability for third-party content;
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(4) Conflict with 47 U.S.C. § 230;
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(5) Require continuous monitoring of user speech.
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6-63-8. Severability.

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If any provision of this chapter is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other
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provisions that can be given effect without the invalid provision, and to this end the provisions of
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this chapter are declared to be severable.
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SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO COMMERCIAL LAW -- GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS --
DIGITAL PLATFORM TRANSPARENCY AND DEMOCRATIC INTEGRITY ACT
***
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This act would regulate how certain large social media platforms utilize algorithms.
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Knowing violations of this chapter would be subject to a civil penalty of up to ten thousand dollars
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($10,000), to be enforced by the attorney general.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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