The U.S. Senate just approved legislation, supported by the leading nonprofit association for the insights industry, that would regulate the design and operations of many for-profit online social platforms if they knowingly interact with minors 16 years of age or younger.
The Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) overwhelmingly passed the Senate on July 30, 2024 as part of a larger legislative package. After extensive industry discussion, the Insights Association had endorsed KOSA.
“Online communities in which platforms may conduct research, or that purposely blend research with other purposes, may be captured by KOSA,” admitted Howard Fienberg, Senior VP Advocacy for the Insights Association.
“However, the bill would require the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to issue guidance for covered platforms ‘seeking to conduct market- and product-focused research on minors’, giving the insights industry the opportunity to help ensure that such guidance improves how client companies may conduct insights work. More importantly, we aim to turn the FTC’s attention to preventing the unethical mixing of market research with marketing, a violation of the IA Code of Standards.”
KOSA passed subcommittee in the House on May 23, but still awaits further action on that side of Congress.
The Insights Association has more detailed analysis and background on KOSA and other minors privacy legislation for IA members.
About the Author
Based in Washington, DC, Howard is the Insights Association's lobbyist for the marketing research and data analytics industry, focusing primarily on consumer privacy and data security, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), tort reform, and the funding and integrity of the decennial Census and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Howard has more than two decades of public policy experience. Before the Insights Association, he worked in Congress as senior legislative staffer for then-Representatives Christopher Cox (CA-48) and Cliff Stearns (FL-06). He also served more than four years with a science policy think tank, working to improve the understanding of scientific and social research and methodology among journalists and policymakers.
Howard is also co-director of The Census Project, a 900+ member coalition in support of a fair and accurate Census and ACS.
He has also served previously on the Board of Directors for the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics and and the Association of Government Relations Professionals.
Howard has an MA International Relations from the University of Essex in England and a BA Honors Political Studies from Trent University in Canada, and has obtained the Certified Association Executive (CAE), Professional Lobbying Certificate (PLC) and the Public Policy Certificate (PPC).
When not running advocacy for the Insights Association, Howard enjoys hockey, NFL football, sci-fi and horror movies, playing with his dog, and spending time with family and friends.