The Virginia Senate supported requiring social media platform interoperability as an amendment to the state’s comprehensive privacy law Tuesday. Senators voted unanimously to pass SB-85 and send the bill to the House.
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Social media platforms are facing intense scrutiny over how they collect, share and monetize user data. As new state and federal laws focus on age verification, parental controls and transparency requirements, social media companies face legal risks around algorithmic targeting, third-party tracking and children's safety. This page follows key legislation, investigations and lawsuits shaping privacy practices for major social platforms.
Days after South Carolina enacted its age-appropriate design code (AADC), NetChoice sued the state Monday night, calling the law "the government's speech police" and a violation of the First Amendment.
Nearly all adults (95%) think children should be protected online from certain features and materials such as pornography, gambling and online purchases, according to a Common Sense Media survey of more than 1,000 adults published Monday. Additionally, more than three in five support age verification for online games and social media, though 35% of parents are also concerned about privacy and data security involved in that.
Virginia lawmakers continued to narrow what privacy bills could pass before this year’s session comes to an end in mid-March. At a Monday meeting, the House Communications Committee voted unanimously by voice to punt bills on AI chatbots (HB-635) and data brokers (HB-638), both by Rep. Michelle Maldonado (D), until 2027.
Age-verification systems and other efforts by social media companies to protect minors have been “inadequate,” according to a Hawaii bill that advanced Friday in the legislature. The legislation (SB-2761) proposes following Australia’s example and banning kids younger than 16 from creating or maintaining accounts.
Idaho House Republicans dismissed a member’s concern about including a private right of action in a bill meant to combat social media addicting children. During a floor session Monday, the chamber voted 62-7 to pass HB-542, sending it to the Senate.
A South Carolina age-appropriate design code (AADC) law took effect Friday after Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed H-3431 the day before. However, litigation appears possible given that two tech associations that commonly sue states raised constitutional concerns in letters to the governor last month. Both trade groups -- NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) -- continued to raise those issues Friday.
The Electronic Privacy Information Center on Thursday released a model age-appropriate design code (AADC) bill based on Vermont’s AADC law that integrates findings from new research and lessons from recent litigation.
The South Carolina House AI Subcommittee on Thursday cleared a bill requiring age verification on social media platforms. Three legislators voted in favor of H-4951, with two others not voting.
A proposed amendment to Virginia’s comprehensive privacy law about requiring social media platform interoperability (SB-85) cleared the Senate General Laws Committee on Wednesday. However, the panel defeated or postponed multiple other bills related to privacy.