Technology (Social Media)

SB 568 requires social media platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate images of Pennsylvania residents within 48 hours of receiving a valid request. It directly affects individuals whose private images were shared without consent, as defined by Pennsylvania law. Platforms must establish a clear online portal for removal requests and are shielded from liability if they act in good faith. The law applies specifically to social media services that connect users for social interaction, excluding email or cloud services. It takes effect 90 days after enactment.

HB 1513 would amend Pennsylvania's criminal code to establish criminal liability for internet publishers and distributors who knowingly make material harmful to minors available online. The bill targets content such as explicit sexual material deemed harmful to minors, creating a legal framework for prosecution without requiring proof of intent to harm minors. It directly affects online platforms, website operators, and content distributors that host or share such material. The bill is currently pending in the Communications & Technology committee for further review.

HB 1729 would require online platforms in Pennsylvania to verify the age of users and set default privacy settings for children under 18, blocking strangers from messaging, viewing profiles, tagging, or transacting with them without parental approval. For children under 13, parents must approve all new connections and financial transactions, and can view their child's activity on the platform. The bill also prohibits platforms from using deceptive design features ("dark patterns") that undermine these protections and bans discrimination against minors in service quality or pricing. This applies to social media, gaming, and other platforms allowing public profiles and user interaction.

SB 376 bans the installation or use of TikTok (or any app developed by ByteDance Limited) on state-owned electronic devices and state wireless networks in Pennsylvania. It requires state employees to remove such applications from devices within three months of the law taking effect, with exceptions for law enforcement, security, or risk mitigation activities. The law directly affects state employees using devices paid for with state funds or accessing state networks. It specifically targets TikTok and any future apps by ByteDance, not other social media platforms.