TechNet Lacks Alternative Language for Wash. Kids Privacy Bill
Industry can’t figure out a constitutional way to word a kids’ privacy bill, a TechNet official said at a Washington state legislative hearing Tuesday.
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Rep. Lisa Callen (D) sought support for her chamber’s version of the measure during the livestreamed House Consumer Protection Committee session. Legislators must stop kids’ addiction to social media, she said. However, TechNet and other business groups testified in opposition to HB-1834.
For example, Rose Feliciano, TechNet executive director for Washington state, claimed HB-1834 is unconstitutional. When Rep. Cindy Ryu (D) asked if TechNet had proposed alternative language, Feliciano replied, "We have not been able to come up with the right language because we end up coming back into the First Amendment problems.” She added, “You're [either] limiting the speech of the kid or you’re limiting the speech of the company."
The House committee is scheduled to vote on HB-1834 on Friday. The Senate Business Committee plans to vote on the Senate version of the bill, (SB-5708), on Thursday, according to an agenda last revised Tuesday.
Officials from Washington’s governor and attorney general offices supported the Senate version at a hearing last week (see 2502130052). Adam Eitmann, legislative director for AG Nick Brown (D), said the bill was critical given Congress' lack of action and dismissed concerns that it would be tough for social media companies to comply with the bill’s age-verification requirements.