State Laws

 Several U.S. states have enacted laws to protect society on the internet and social media, addressing issues like privacy, cyberbullying, misinformation, and data security. Here are some key examples:

1. Privacy and Data Protection

• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) (2018, updated in 2020 with CPRA)
• Grants consumers rights over their personal data, including access, deletion, and opting out of data sales.
• Applies to companies that collect and sell personal data.
• Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA) (2021)
• Gives Virginia residents rights over their data, similar to CCPA.
• Requires companies to conduct data protection assessments.
• Colorado Privacy Act (2021)
• Establishes consumer data rights and mandates businesses to provide clear privacy policies.
• Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA) (2022)
• Allows consumers to access and delete their data but is less strict than California’s law.

2. Social Media and Online Safety

• Texas Social Media Law (HB 20) (2021)
• Prevents large social media platforms from banning users based on their political viewpoints.
• Currently facing legal challenges.
• Florida’s Social Media Anti-Censorship Law (SB 7072) (2021)
• Prohibits platforms from deplatforming political candidates.
• Blocked by courts due to First Amendment concerns.
• New York’s Online Hate Speech Law (2022)
• Requires social media platforms to have policies for reporting and addressing hateful content.
• Focuses on combating online harassment.

3. Cyberbullying and Online Harassment

• Megan’s Law (Missouri, 2006) & Cyberbullying Prevention Laws
• Missouri passed cyberbullying laws after a tragic case involving MySpace harassment.
• Other states, like North Carolina and Texas, have strict anti-cyberbullying laws.
• New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights (2011)
• Strengthened cyberbullying laws in response to high-profile cases.
• Requires schools to address online bullying.

4. AI and Deepfakes

• California’s Deepfake Law (AB 730 & AB 602) (2019)
• Prohibits the use of deepfake technology in election misinformation and non-consensual deepfake pornography.
• Texas’ Deepfake Law (HB 2589) (2019)
• Criminalizes deepfake videos intended to deceive voters before elections.

5. Child Protection on the Internet

• California Age-Appropriate Design Code (2022)
• Requires online platforms to consider children’s privacy and safety when designing services.
• Inspired by the UK’s similar law.
• New York’s Child Data Protection Laws (2023)
• Aims to limit targeted advertising and data collection from minors.

6. Digital Fraud and Cybersecurity

• Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) (2008)
• Regulates how companies collect and store biometric data like facial recognition and fingerprints.
• Washington State’s My Health My Data Act (2023)
• Expands privacy protections for health-related data collected online.

Many of these laws are still evolving, with legal challenges and updates expected as technology advances. Are you looking for laws related to a specific issue?

Response 2

Several U.S. states have implemented laws to protect society from online harms such as misinformation, data privacy violations, cyberbullying, and online exploitation. Here are some key examples:

1. Data Privacy Laws

• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) (2018): Grants California residents rights over their personal data, allowing them to access, delete, and opt out of data sales by companies.
• Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA) (2021): Similar to CCPA, providing Virginia residents with rights to control their personal data.
• Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) (2021): Establishes consumer rights regarding data collection and mandates transparency in data usage.

2. Social Media Regulations

• California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (2022): Requires social media platforms to enhance child safety by limiting data collection and restricting harmful content.
• Texas HB 20 (2021): Prevents social media platforms from banning or censoring users based on political viewpoints (currently under legal challenges).

3. Cyberbullying & Online Harassment Laws

• Florida’s “Gabby’s Law for Student Safety” (2013): Criminalizes cyberbullying in schools and allows schools to discipline students for online harassment.
• New York’s Cyber Harassment Law: Expands penalties for cyberstalking and digital harassment, including revenge porn.
• Missouri’s Cyberbullying Law (2008): Created after a high-profile case of online harassment, making it illegal to harass or intimidate someone through electronic communication.

4. Misinformation & Election Integrity

• Washington’s Disinformation Law: Criminalizes the intentional spread of false election information that misleads voters.
• Minnesota’s Election Misinformation Law: Penalizes those who deliberately spread false claims about voting procedures.

5. Online Child Protection Laws

• Utah Social Media Laws (2023): Requires parental consent for minors to use social media and restricts access during nighttime hours.
• Arkansas Social Media Age Verification Law (2023): Mandates social media companies to verify users’ ages and obtain parental approval for minors.
• Louisiana’s Online Pornography Age Verification Law (2023): Requires adult websites to verify users are 18+ before granting access.

6. Deepfake & AI Manipulation Laws

• California’s Anti-Deepfake Law (2019): Criminalizes the distribution of manipulated videos intended to mislead voters or damage reputations.
• Texas Deepfake Law (2019): Bans the creation and distribution of deepfake videos intended to deceive voters before an election.

These laws reflect growing concerns about digital safety, privacy, and the spread of harmful content. Would you like details on a specific type of law?

Adjunct Professor John Iacovacci

University of Connecticut, Stamford

John.Iacovacci@uconn.edu