This bill requires online platforms, video games, messaging apps, and streaming services to implement privacy-focused default settings and allow parents to manage their minor children's accounts. It defines "covered platforms" as internet-based services that facilitate user interaction, while excluding common carriers, email providers, and professional networking sites. The law specifically targets minors under 17 and gives the Attorney General authority to enforce compliance, though platforms can correct violations before facing penalties.
This Maryland bill establishes civil liability for commercial websites that knowingly distribute sexual material harmful to minors without implementing age verification systems. The law requires such sites to verify that users are at least 18 years old using government-issued ID, commercially reasonable methods, or digital identification before allowing access to the content. Additionally, the bill prohibits age verification providers from keeping any personal identifying information about individuals after they attempt to access the material. Parents or legal guardians can sue for damages if a minor accesses this content due to a site's failure to verify age, while the law exempts internet service providers and protects news organizations from these requirements.
SB 632 creates a new Office of State Elected Officials Information Privacy within Maryland’s Department of Legislative Services. It allows state elected officials (the "protected individuals") to request that their personal details - such as addresses, phone numbers, and email - be removed from public online sources like government websites, social media, or social networks. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for intentionally posting an official’s personal information online under certain circumstances. This replaces the existing Address Confidentiality Program for domestic violence survivors with a dedicated system specifically for protecting state elected officials’ privacy.
HB 924, the "Safe Kids Act," creates a new civil legal remedy allowing parents or legal guardians of minors depicted in or exposed to child exploitation material to sue online platforms directly. It prohibits platforms from knowingly distributing such material - including AI-generated images defined as "computer-generated" under the law - and requires them to remove it. The bill updates definitions to explicitly include AI-created images in child pornography laws and increases the age threshold for victims in certain criminal cases. This allows civil lawsuits for damages (including attorney fees) without needing prior criminal convictions, targeting platforms that facilitate distribution rather than just criminalizing possession.
HB 952 requires operators of "companion chatbots" (AI systems designed to meet social needs through human-like interactions) to establish safety protocols, including preventing harmful content like self-harm discussions and sexually explicit material for minors. Operators must publish these protocols online, display clear warnings that chatbots are AI (not human), and provide crisis resource referrals for users expressing suicidal thoughts. The bill also mandates that operators of chatbots used by minors display mandatory break reminders after 3 hours of continuous use. It excludes business customer service bots, video game features, and basic voice assistants from these requirements.
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.
HB 1456 requires real estate websites, social media platforms, and other commercial entities to verify that the person advertising a residential property for sale or lease is either the legal owner or their authorized agent before publishing the listing. Commercial entities must maintain this verification for at least three years and immediately remove any listing published without proper verification. Violations would be treated as unfair, deceptive, or abusive trade practices under Maryland’s Consumer Protection Act, subject to enforcement and penalties. This bill directly affects online property listing services and real estate platforms that publish residential property advertisements. It aims to prevent fraudulent listings by mandating ownership verification as a standard practice.
SB 602 establishes the Algorithmic Addiction Fund in Maryland to use settlement funds from cases where social media algorithms harmed children. The fund, administered by the Maryland Department of Health, is financed by civil penalties from settlements related to social media harm and earns interest. It directly supports children by funding prevention programs (like school digital literacy campaigns), treatment services for mental health impacts (such as depression and anxiety), research, and evidence-based interventions. The fund is non-lapsing, meaning unused money rolls over annually, and all spending must align with the state budget.
SB 989 (Safe Kids Act) creates a civil cause of action allowing parents or legal guardians of minors depicted in unlawful child exploitation material to sue online platforms that knowingly distribute such material. The bill defines "unlawful child exploitation material" to include AI-generated images that appear indistinguishable from real children, criminalizing platforms that knowingly issue, sell, or distribute these materials. It establishes remedies including actual damages, attorney fees, and punitive damages for affected families, while exempting platforms acting solely as transmission services. The law applies to social media, apps, and websites that create or distribute content featuring minors in sexual situations, including AI-generated depictions.
HB 693 creates a legal pathway for minors or their parents to sue commercial websites that knowingly distribute obscene material online to minors. It requires these entities to use reasonable age verification methods (like government ID or commercial systems) to confirm users are 18+ before accessing such content and prohibits retaining any user identifying information after verification. The bill excludes news organizations and internet service providers from these requirements. If a commercial entity violates these rules, affected individuals can seek damages for minors accessing obscene material or for improper retention of personal data. This law directly impacts websites hosting adult content and aims to protect minors from exposure to obscene material online.
