Judge Allows California’s Ban on Addictive Feeds for Minors to Go Into Effect
A federal judge has allowed California’s SB 976 law to take effect, which bans addictive feeds for minors. This law is designed to protect young users from harmful and excessive digital content.
What Is SB 976?
Starting today, companies can no longer show addictive content to minors unless they get parental consent. An addictive feed is a recommendation system that shows content based on a user’s past behavior, not their explicit preferences. This type of content is designed to keep users engaged for longer periods, and it’s now prohibited for minors in California.
How Will This Affect Tech Companies?
From January 2027, companies will need to use “age assurance techniques” to check whether a user is a minor. These methods might include age estimation models to determine a user’s age. If a user is confirmed as a minor, the company will adjust the feed accordingly.
NetChoice vs California: Legal Battle Continues
In November, the tech group NetChoice, which represents companies like Meta, Google, and X, challenged the law, arguing it violated the First Amendment. While the judge rejected their request to block the law, they did block parts of it, such as restrictions on notifications sent to minors at night.
For more details on the legal challenge, visit Bloomberg Law.
Similar Laws in Other States
California isn’t alone in this effort. New York also passed similar laws in June, aimed at reducing harmful content for minors. Other states may soon follow California’s lead in regulating tech companies.
What’s Next for Tech Companies?
With this law now in effect, tech companies must change their approach to content recommendation. The law forces companies to reconsider how they engage with young users and what content they allow.
For more information on SB 976, read the full California Bill Text.
Conclusion
California’s SB 976 law is an important step in protecting minors from addictive digital content. As it takes effect, it may encourage other states to pass similar laws to ensure safer online spaces for children.
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