A new initiative from some Democrats aims to impose stricter regulations on major tech companies, reminiscent of tougher European standards. Critics suggest this could create tensions with Silicon Valley as election season approaches.
Supporters of Project 2029, a liberal initiative, advocate for significant reforms, such as prohibiting children under 16 from using social media, modifying the protections offered by Section 230, adjusting default privacy settings, and enhancing controls on AI chatbots.
However, critics highlight that some backers are also endorsing controversial EU policies. Reset Tech, a think tank that contributed to Project 2029’s “Kids Over Clicks,” received a $2 million grant from the Open Society Foundations to support the enforcement of the European Digital Services Act.
This EU legislation, enacted in 2022, demands that Big Tech firms manage content and safeguard user privacy. The Trump administration criticized it as a form of censorship and an unfair burden on U.S. businesses, comparing the penalties to hidden tariffs.
While Project 2029 doesn’t explicitly endorse EU regulations, it does acknowledge their role in imposing age restrictions on social media among other nations.
In just the past two years, the European Commission has handed out over $7 billion in fines to tech giants like Meta, Google, and Apple for a variety of infractions. Elon Musk’s “X” has faced scrutiny as well for alleged hate speech issues.
Reset Tech CEO Ben Scott previously described the Digital Services Act as a significant shift in how technology is regulated.
Project 2029 also proposes banning phone use for children during school hours. Support for “Kids Over Clicks” has emerged from figures such as Senator Cory Booker, Governor Mikie Sherrill, and Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers.
Evan Schwarztrauber, a former FCC policy advisor, noted there’s bipartisan backing for addressing social media and AI safety challenges. Yet he warned that Democrats might alienate tech giants, who felt unsupported when the Biden administration seemed excessively regulatory.
Project 2029’s ideas are likely to ignite strong reactions from tech firms, which have been increasing their lobbying efforts regarding social media and AI laws.
Robert Winterton from the policy group NetChoice commented that the Digital Services Act gives European authorities undue influence over speech on platforms, which could infringe on First Amendment rights in the U.S.
Another tech policy expert, who spoke anonymously, mentioned that it’s one thing for a country to regulate its own tech sector, but quite another to support foreign regulations. There’s a perceived trend of tech executives distancing themselves from the Democratic Party over these issues.
Chad Maisel, executive director of Project 2029, emphasized the group’s vision, referring to content aimed at protecting children online. He pointed out ongoing concerns about childhood safety on the internet, stating that each child’s plight can shake trust in the tech landscape.
Mark Zuckerberg has criticized EU fines, characterizing them as more like tariffs than fair penalties. He has also voiced concerns that the U.S. government isn’t doing enough to shield its tech industry from international sanctions.
Leaders of Project 2029 aim to put Democrats at the forefront of safety laws, predicting this could be the “Big Tobacco moment” for social media regulation.
Reset Tech’s Rishi Bhawani highlighted that most major political topics have clear partisan support, with children’s online safety being an exception. He noted future presidential candidates could create a robust policy framework on these matters from the outset.
Even with prominent presidential backing, enacting sweeping social media regulations reminiscent of Project 2029 would likely face hurdles in Congress, where attempts to pass bipartisan child safety legislation have stalled amid disagreements over the details.
Europe’s stringent regulations and significant penalties have also become contentious issues during diplomatic discussions with the Trump administration. In early 2025, Trump affirmed a commitment to combating digital service taxes imposed by foreign countries on U.S. businesses.
Vice President J.D. Vance criticized laws like the Digital Services Act as tools of censorship. He acknowledged the need for online safety but was clear that restricting access to opinions deemed misinformation by the government crossed a line.
