Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) on Friday announced a lawsuit against TikTok and its parent company ByteData for allegations that the social media app is harmful to children and has misrepresented the potential for the Chinese government to access Virginia residents’ data.
Legislators in several states added to a growing pile of age-verification bills Friday. Kids privacy and online safety bills have been an early focus for these lawmakers (see 2501170053).
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NetChoice submitted a renewed motion for a preliminary injunction Friday on a Tennessee law about kids' access to social media, and requested the court issue a temporary restraining order to take effect as soon as possible.
The early weeks of January have brought a blizzard of state bills focused on protecting kids online, including requiring age verification on porn and social media websites. Some industry groups have long raised privacy concerns with such mandates, arguing they could require that users submit sensitive information confirming their age or parental status to consent to a child’s access.
A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court on Friday upheld a law forcing ByteDance to divest TikTok, citing Congress’ “well-supported national security concerns.”
U.K. regulator Ofcom Thursday issued industry guidance detailing how apps and sites can implement effective age checks to keep children from encountering online porn and protect them from other harmful content. Pornography providers have until July to introduce age checks, it said. The office also published a statement on age assurance and children's access, and warned that its age assurance enforcement program is open for business.
A kids social media bill requiring age verification cleared the Indiana Senate Judiciary Committee with an amendment in a 10-1 vote at a livestreamed hearing Wednesday. The bill would prohibit kids 15 years old and younger from accessing social media unless they have parental permission.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) opposed an injunction on a state law that would regulate addictive social media feeds for minors, arguing the organization didn't prove that the challenged provisions in the law are unconstitutional. In November, NetChoice sued Bonta over SB-976, alleging it undermines free speech and privacy principles.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) on Monday asked to dismiss the Computer and Communications Industry Association's (CCIA) complaint against a kids social media bill. Also, Florida opposed the plaintiff’s motion for a preliminary injunction.