SB 932 Maryland Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Consumer Protection - Social Media Platforms - Display of User Location

SB 932 requires social media platforms operating in Maryland to display the city and country (derived from IP address) of each adult user whose account is visible to a Maryland user. It applies to platforms like Facebook or Instagram, directly affecting both the platforms (which must implement this display) and Maryland users (who gain visibility into the general location of other users they interact with). The law explicitly excludes minors' locations from display and defines "general geographical location" to exclude precise GPS data. This is a consumer protection measure focused on transparency, not data collection or sharing.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 6, 2026 Last action Mar 24, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Consumer Protection - Social Media Platforms - Display of User Location → Third - Consumer Protection - Social Media Platforms - Display of User Location · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to broaden the definition of 'general geographical location' to include state-level subdivisions (like provinces) rather than just cities, and to clarify that this data does not include precise geolocation. The scope of the law was expanded to cover a wider range of digital services, including those with preselected content and interactive gaming, while adding new exemptions for minors and users participating in address confidentiality programs. Additionally, social media operators are now required to provide a process for users to certify their participation in address confidentiality programs.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include services offering preselected content and interactive gaming, and the definition of 'social media platform' was broadened to cover public or semipublic internet-based services.

DEFINITION

Changed the definition of 'general geographical location' to include the state, province, or comparable subdivision, in addition to the city and country.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new requirement for social media operators to establish a process allowing users to certify their participation in address confidentiality programs.

ELIGIBILITY

Added an exemption preventing the display of location data for users who certify participation in an address confidentiality program.

SCOPE

Expanded the definition of 'social media platform' to include services with preselected content and interactive gaming applications.

Added a new exemption stating that the law does not apply to services that offer only email or direct messaging functions.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 8, 2026

How they voted

44–0

Passed · 5 other

Total votes 49

Mar 8, 2026

D Democratic36

32 Yea 4

88% Yea

R Republican13

12 Yea 1

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Mar 24, 2026

Committee

Referred Economic Matters

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Third Reading Passed

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment {

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Motion Laid Over (Senator West) Adopted

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

upper

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Finance

upper

Mar 8, 2026

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (44-0-5)

senate

Feb 6, 2026

Committee

First Reading Finance

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors