In the United States, access to information about abortion services has become crucial for those living in the 22 states where abortion is either prohibited or heavily restricted. The internet has become an essential avenue for obtaining information on how to access care, find funding for abortions, and understand the legal risks involved. However, the recent approval in the Senate of a bill known as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) has sparked concerns among civil rights advocates and reproductive health groups.
KOSA grants the federal government and state attorneys general the authority to restrict online content they deem inappropriate, which could potentially result in the censorship of vital information about sexual and reproductive health. This bill introduces a concept called “duty of care,” which would require websites and digital platforms to prevent and mitigate “harm to minors” through their design features. This leaves a wide margin for interpretation that could lead to the removal of abortion-related content, under the argument that it could cause “emotional distress” or “sexual abuse.”
Concern over this legislation is heightened by the fact that various groups, including anti-abortion activists, could use KOSA to silence any online discussion about abortion. There are precedents of legislative attempts in states like Texas and South Carolina to censor abortion information, reflecting a pattern of controlling the narrative around this sensitive issue.
Additionally, KOSA requires many platforms to implement age verification systems that require users to provide personal information, such as government-issued identifications. This poses a serious risk to those seeking reproductive medical care, as it could jeopardize their anonymity and privacy. Age verification measures could not only deter individuals from seeking critical information but also increase the risk of their data being collected and exposed, presenting a new challenge in a context where digital surveillance and harassment are on the rise.
The pressure to pass KOSA has sparked an urgent call to action. Although the bill has cleared one chamber, it has not yet reached the debate in the House of Representatives, providing an opportunity for activists and rights defenders to mobilize efforts to halt its progress. The fight for access to abortion information and the protection of online privacy has intensified, and the community must remain vigilant in defending these rights against legislative initiatives that threaten to restrict access to essential resources.
Source: MiMub in Spanish