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HR 491 113th Congress House

Global Online Freedom Act of 2013

Official title: To prevent United States businesses from cooperating with repressive governments in transforming the Internet into a tool of censorship and surveillance, to fu… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To prevent United States businesses from cooperating with repressive governments in transforming the Internet into a tool of censorship and surveillance, to fulfill the responsibility of the United States Government to promote freedom of expression on the Internet, to restore public confidence in the integrity of United States businesses, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 4, 2013 Introduced by: Smith, Christopher H. Republican · New Jersey See on congress.gov
International Affairs Broadcasting, cable, digital technologiesBusiness ethicsBusiness recordsComputers and information technology
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Congressional oversightCorporate finance and managementFreedom of informationGovernment information and archivesHuman rightsInternational exchange and broadcastingInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaRight of privacyRule of law and government transparencySanctionsTrade agreements and negotiationsTrade restrictions
This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 25, 2013
Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.
Feb 4, 2013
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Feb 4, 2013
Introduced in House
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 Latest action February 25, 2013

Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Global Online Freedom Act of 2013 - Makes it U.S. policy to: (1) promote the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media; (2) use all appropriate instruments of U.S. influence to support the free flow of information without interference or discrimination; and (3) deter U.S. businesses from cooperating with Internet-restricting countries in effecting online censorship.

Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the President should seek international agreements to protect Internet freedom; and (2) U.S. businesses operating in foreign countries should ensure online access to U.S.-supported websites and government reports, promote the security of Internet users, and limit censorship of protected political and religious speech and information.

Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require assessments of freedom of expression with respect to electronic information in each foreign country.

Directs the Secretary of State to annually designate Internet-restricting countries.

Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require each Internet communications service company that operates in an Internet-restricting country to include in its annual report information relating to: (1) human rights due diligence, (2) policies pertaining to the collection and disclosure of personally identifiable information, and (3) restrictions on Internet search engines or content hosting services. Sets forth an exception for companies that include in their annual report a certification of their participation in good standing with the Global Network Initiative or other specified multi-stakeholder initiatives.

Amends the Export Administration Act of 1979, as continued in effect under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, to direct the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) establish a list of goods and technology that would assist a foreign government in acquiring the capability to carry out censorship, surveillance, or any other related activity through means of telecommunications, including the Internet; and (2) prohibit the export of listed goods or technology to a government end-user (including a wholly or partially government-owned telecommunications or Internet service provider) in any Internet-restricting country.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 4
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 491: Global Online Freedom Act of 2013. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-491/
MLA
"H.R. 491: Global Online Freedom Act of 2013." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-491/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 491, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-491/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 491: Global Online Freedom Act of 2013](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-491/)
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