TLDR Act
Sponsored By: Senator Bill Cassidy
Introduced
Summary
Clear, machine-readable short summaries and graphic data-flow diagrams for online Terms of Service. This bill would require covered websites and online services to post an accessible short-form summary, a graphic showing how sensitive information is processed and shared, and the full terms in an interactive, tagged data format.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Interactive, machine-readable full terms
If enacted, the FTC would require covered companies to display their full terms of service in an interactive, machine-readable data format within 360 days. The rule would also require tagging of key parts of the terms using a standard like XML so software can find items listed in the short summary. This would make automated analysis and accessible presentations of terms easier for users and tools.
Short plain summary of website terms
If enacted, the FTC would require covered commercial websites to put a short, truthful terms-of-service summary at the top of their permanent terms page within 360 days. The summary would list categories of sensitive data (for example, health, location, SSN), say which data is required for basic functions versus optional features, and note legal liabilities like arbitration or class action waivers. It would show recent data breaches from the past three years, give a word count and reading time for the full terms, and explain how to delete data if deletion services exist. The summary must be easy to read, accessible to people with disabilities, machine readable, and would not create new contractual obligations. The rule would apply to commercial websites and online services but would exclude small business concerns as defined in the Small Business Act.
Stronger FTC and state enforcement
If enacted, violating the rules or any FTC regulation under this Act would count as an unfair or deceptive practice enforceable by the FTC with its usual powers and penalties. States could bring parens patriae civil actions in federal court for harms affecting at least 1,000 residents, but they generally must notify the FTC first. The FTC may intervene in state actions and the law sets rules on when states can file separate suits while the Commission's case is pending.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bill Cassidy
LA • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
NM • D
Sponsored 3/10/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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