Cybersecurity Policy Report, Bill to Protect Kids’ Privacy on Social Media Advances in Louisiana, (May 1, 2024)
The Louisiana state House voted unanimously yesterday to pass a bill that would prohibit social media companies from collecting data to use for targeted advertising to minors.
HB 577 provides that any social media platform with more than one million account holders globally that is operating in Louisiana would be prohibited from using personal data and social media algorithms for targeting advertising at an account holder who is under the age of 18 and located in the state. Platforms would also be prohibited from selling personal data of an account holder who is under age 18 and located in the state, according to the bill.
The bill would direct social media platforms to take “commercially reasonable steps” to determine or estimate the age of an account holder and obtain parental or guardian consent before allowing a known child to download an application distributed or made accessible via the covered company’s application store.
The bill further provides that the attorney general may bring a civil action on behalf of a minor account holder against a social media platform. Social media platforms found to have violated these provisions may be subject to a civil fine of up to $10,000 per violation, according to the bill.
The bill has an effective date of July 1, 2025. It is sponsored by Rep. Kim Carver (R.).
News: StateLegislation DataPrivacy