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San Francisco (AP) California lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bill that would require tech companies to put children’s safety ahead of profits when designing apps or other online products.
The bill is headed to the desk of Gov. Gavin Newsom, who needs his signature on age-friendly design code legislation to become law in the state, home to Silicon Valley titans like Meta, Google and Apple.
Assemblywoman Buffy Weeks said the bill – AB 2273 – passed unanimously.
If signed into law, organizations that make apps or websites must build protections into products, even if they are intended for adults.
“Businesses that develop and provide online services, products or features that children can access must consider the best interests of children when they design, develop and provide that online service, product or feature,” the bill reads.
“If there is a conflict between commercial interests and the interests of children, companies must prioritize children’s privacy, safety and security over commercial interests.”
The law stops tech companies from disclosing children; sell their data; By guessing their age or designing features that compromise their safety, Wix said on Twitter.
The bill is modeled after an age-appropriate design code passed in Britain last year, according to the 5Rights Foundation, a children’s online rights advocacy group.
“With this bill, California is not only setting the standard for kids living in the tech industry’s backyard, but paving the way for the rest of the United States and the world,” 5Rights founder Biban Kidron said in a press release.
Trade association NetChoice, whose members include Google, Meta and TikTok, called on California’s governor to veto the law and regulate how two other online platforms operate.
One of the bills would require social media platforms to publicly disclose their policies on online hate, misinformation, extremism and harassment, as well as key metrics and data related to the implementation of those policies.
“California has been at the forefront of technology development, but the legislative action gives innovators another reason to leave the Golden State,” said Jennifer Huddleston, a policy consultant at NetChoices.
NetChoice argued that there are better policies the state could use to help parents protect children online and support teen mental health.
© 2022 AFP
