Consumer protection; filter requirements on Internet enabled devices, penalties for violation

HB 318 requires smartphone and tablet manufacturers to install a default filter on devices activated in Alabama for users under 18, blocking access to obscene content as defined by Alabama law. The filter must be enabled during device setup for minors and only removable via a password, with users notified when content is blocked. Manufacturers failing to comply face civil lawsuits by parents/guardians (up to $50,000 per violation) or the Attorney General (up to $5,000 per device), while non-parents disabling the filter could also be liable. The law applies to devices manufactured on or after January 1, 2027, and targets manufacturers with a registered agent in Alabama.