Technology Reform

Transparency

To find solutions to the harmful effects of social media, we need a way to look under the hood of these powerful platforms. Despite the immense power these companies wield, we know very little about how social media companies collect and use our data, how the underlying algorithms work, and how they shape the user experience online. In short, they are intentionally keeping lawmakers and the American public in the dark.

We’re shedding light on an industry that, for too long, has operated in secrecy and told us to blindly trust in their stewardship of these all-powerful technologies. This is why the Council for Responsible Social Media has formally endorsed the Platform Accountability and Transparency Act that would create a framework for independent, vetted researchers to analyze the design and operations of the major social media platforms.

Featured Work

Analysis

Social Media Platforms Assemble Influence Army in D.C.

Meta, ByteDance, X, Snap, and Discord combined to spend a staggering $30 million on lobbying last year — and employed one lobbyist for roughly every four members of Congress...

As social media executives prepare to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday about how their companies are failing to protect children on their platforms, federal lobbying filings show…

Press releases

Council for Responsible Social Media Endorses Bipartisan Platform Accountability and Transparency Act

The Council stands behind PATA, a bill that would empower policymakers, researchers, and the American public to see under the hood of these powerful technologies and drive evidence-based policy solutions....

Today, the Council for Responsible Social Media announced its formal endorsement of the Platform Accountability and Transparency Act (PATA), a bipartisan bill led by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Bill Cassidy…

Press releases

Council for Responsible Social Media Director Applauds Lawmakers Efforts to Enhance Platform Transparency

Alix Fraser comments on the need for American lawmakers to create an internationally aligned research access framework...

Social media has become a central part of most Americans’ lives. Yet, very few are given a behind the scenes look at the policies and design choices online platforms make…

Featured Press

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Tech Policy Press: To Move Forward with AI, Look to the Fight for Social Media Reform

Op-ed by Council for Responsible Social Media Legislative Associate Jamie Neikrie...

Ms. Magazine: For Gen Z, Social Media Reform Has Been a Lifetime in the Making

Op-ed by Council for Responsible Social Media member Emma Lembke...

The Latest on Transparency

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Oct 21, 2025

Op-eds

Tech Policy Press: How Silicon Valley Uses Big Tobacco, Pharma, and Oil Tactics to Block Regulation

Op-ed by Issue One's Emma Jones and Isabel Sunderland...

Oct 21, 2025

Press releases

Big Tech cultivates war chest to shape technology policy narratives and spend big ahead of 2026 midterms

New Issue One exposé reveals how Big Tech is engaging in deceitful tactics to control narratives about its products and spending vast sums to achieve its preferred policy outcomes...

Today, Issue One released a package of three new products documenting the scale, scope, and impact of Big Tech’s massive influence operation. Together, this new body of work reveals the…

Oct 21, 2025

Analysis

As Big Tech Gears Up for the 2026 Midterms, Its Lobbying Operations Continue Unabated

Major tech companies have spent a combined $50 million on lobbying so far this year...

Nearly one year before the 2026 midterm elections, Big Tech’s influence machine shows no signs of slowing or shrinking. The industry’s largest players are growing their war chests, fine-tuning their…

Sep 16, 2025

Press releases

Congressional hearing highlights the need to protect children from the harms of AI companion chatbots

In response to today’s hearing on AI chatbots hosted by the United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, Issue One Vice President of Advocacy Alix Fraser offered the…

Jul 25, 2025

In the media

The Guardian: The real winners from Trump’s ‘AI action plan’? Tech companies

Cites an Issue One tech lobbying report and quotes VP of Advocacy Alix Fraser...