Bots Research Act

This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to establish a task force to study and report on the impact of automated accounts on social media, public discourse, and elections. Specifically, the study must assess (1) what qualifies as a bot or automated account; (2) the extent to which automated accounts are used; (3) how automated accounts are used; and (4) how to most effectively combat any use of automated accounts that negatively effects social media, public discourse, and elections while continuing to promote the protection of the First Amendment. The task force must provide Congress and relevant federal agencies with the results and conclusions of its study within one year after the task force is established.