American States Take Action to Protect Children’s Online Privacy
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Salma Hossein
- . April 17, 2024
- . Update: April 17, 2024 9:18 pm
American states are taking significant steps to protect children’s privacy online by enacting laws that prevent technology companies from collecting data or determining precise locations of children. However, these efforts face objections from technology giants who argue that such laws restrict freedom of expression.
According to the New York Times, the state of Maryland recently passed two comprehensive privacy bills aimed at restricting the collection and use of personal data, particularly concerning children, by technology platforms. Notably, these measures were enacted despite strong opposition from major technology companies such as Amazon, Google, and Meta.
Maryland’s Children’s Act aims to prevent certain social media and video game companies, as well as other online platforms, from tracking individuals under the age of 18. The legislation also prohibits the use of manipulative techniques, such as autoplaying videos or notifications, to keep children excessively engaged with the internet.
On the other hand, technology companies have been resisting new laws designed to protect user privacy, especially that of children. Last year, a coalition representing Amazon, Google, and Meta filed a lawsuit opposing privacy protection laws, claiming that such regulations violated their constitutional rights to freely disseminate information.
Maryland’s children’s law is inspired by California’s 2022 legislation, which mandates stricter privacy settings for minors on certain social media and video game platforms and prohibits technology companies from pinpointing their locations.
Following Maryland’s initiative, the Vermont legislature recently voted on April 11 to pass a law aimed at protecting children’s privacy. Several other states, including Minnesota, Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Nevada, have introduced bills with similar objectives to enhance children’s safety on the internet.
The proposed laws require technology companies to implement measures that protect children’s experiences on their platforms. This includes providing clear and understandable privacy information and terms of service for children, as well as offering responsive tools to help children and their guardians exercise their privacy rights and report concerns.
These legislative efforts come amid growing scrutiny of Meta’s products for potential harm to children. In December of the previous year, the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging that its platforms had become a marketplace for child predators. In response, a Meta spokesman stated that the company aims to provide age-appropriate online experiences for teenagers and has developed over 30 tools for child safety.
Overall, American states are proactively addressing children’s online privacy concerns through legislation, despite resistance from technology companies. The focus is on establishing robust privacy settings, promoting transparency, and empowering children and their guardians to protect their privacy rights and report any issues they encounter.
