Joco Today

Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel testified in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing regarding big tech and the online child sexual exploitation crisis. During his opening remarks, Spiegel expressed his support for the Cooper Davis Act (S. 1080), bipartisan legislation led by Senators Roger Marshall, Jeanne Shaheen, Chuck Grassley, Amy Klobuchar, Dick Durbin, and Todd Young. The legislation aims to address the fentanyl crisis and require social media companies to take a more proactive role in combating drug dealers targeting young people online.

Spiegel emphasized the importance of bringing the Cooper Davis Act to the Senate floor for a vote, stating, "We need to take immediate action to protect our youth from the devastating effects of illicit fentanyl." He highlighted the case of Cooper Davis, a Kansas teen who tragically lost his life after purchasing drugs on social media, as a clear example of the urgent need for this legislation.

Before the hearing, Senator Marshall met with Spiegel to discuss the urgency of passing the Cooper Davis Act. The bill has already passed the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 16 to 5 and is now awaiting consideration on the Senate floor.

Snap, Inc., the parent company of Snapchat, is the only social media company that has actively collaborated with families of victims, healthcare stakeholders, law enforcement, and the Biden Administration in advancing the Cooper Davis Act. This collaborative effort demonstrates their commitment to combating the fentanyl crisis and protecting young people from the dangers of online drug dealers.

Other CEOs from TikTok, Meta, X Corp, and Discord also testified at the hearing, highlighting the importance of addressing online child sexual exploitation and the role that social media companies play in this issue.

The Cooper Davis Act was developed through a collaborative effort involving various organizations representing families of victims, community leaders, law enforcement, federal prosecutors, pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors, healthcare providers, and the technology industry. These organizations include the Alexander Neville Foundation, Alliance for Safe Online Pharmacies, American College of Emergency Physicians, Association of Federal Narcotics Agents, and many more.

As the fentanyl crisis continues to worsen, it is crucial that Congress takes action to protect young people from the dangers of online drug dealers. The Cooper Davis Act represents a significant step towards combating this crisis and ensuring the safety of America's youth.