This bill aims to block Americans from accessing social media apps and websites owned or controlled by China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia. The main target is apps like TikTok that have large numbers of U.S. users. The President would create and update an annual list of banned companies, and the government would work with app stores and internet providers to prevent people from downloading or accessing these apps in the United States.

The bill also creates consequences for people who work for these companies. Foreign employees of listed companies would be banned from getting U.S. visas while they work there, and they'd have to wait three years after leaving before they could apply for a visa. Additionally, citizens from countries of concern (China, Iran, North Korea, Russia) who work for these companies would be permanently banned from getting H-1B visas, which are used to bring skilled workers into the U.S. Companies on the list would also need to register their U.S. representatives with the Department of Justice.

Essentially, this is a national security measure designed to prevent foreign governments from controlling social media platforms used by Americans, based on concerns that these governments could manipulate content, collect data on U.S. users, or use the platforms to influence Americans.

SAFETY on Social Media Act of 2023

Cotton, Tom

Stopping Attempts by Foreign Entities to Target Youths on Social Media Act Act [sic] of 2023 or the SAFETY on Social Media Act of 2023 This bill restricts domestic access to computer or mobile apps or websites (e.g., TikTok) of social media companies owned or controlled by countries of concern (China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia). The President must annually publish a list of these companies and block certain transactions involving them. A company must be listed if it <ul> <li>is a foreign entity owned or controlled by a country of concern;</li> <li>has more than a specified number of users or downloads; and</li> <li>has altered or may alter the content of apps or websites at the request of, or shared data about U.S. persons (individuals or entities) with, a country of concern.</li> </ul> Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission must prohibit access to listed companies' apps or websites through U.S. app stores and internet service providers. Further, the bill requires agents of listed companies to register with the Department of Justice and restricts access to U.S. visas by foreign nationals employed by listed companies. Foreign nationals are ineligible for U.S. visas (1) while employed by a listed company, and (2) for three years after either they terminate that employment or their employer is removed from the list. A foreign national of a country of concern who is employed by a listed company is also permanently ineligible for an H-1B visa (nonimmigrant workers in specialty occupations and fashion models).