SB 2398 requires large social media platforms (with 10 million+ monthly U.S. users) to implement systems allowing users to report unmarked or improperly age-restricted content harmful to minors. Platforms must acknowledge reports within 48 hours, act within seven business days (e.g., remove content or apply age restrictions), and publish semi-annual transparency reports detailing their responses. Parents or legal guardians of minors can sue platforms for failing to address repeated reports of unmarked harmful content, seeking up to $5,000 per violation, while the state attorney general may also enforce compliance through fines. The bill directly affects major online platforms and aims to improve content safety for minors through mandatory reporting systems and accountability measures.
HB 2214 prohibits distributing AI-generated "electoral deepfakes" (fake videos or audio falsely depicting candidates) within 90 days of a state or local election if the creator knows or should know it deceives voters. It requires clear, prominent disclosures like "AI-generated" for altered content, with specific visibility rules for images, videos, and audio. Exceptions cover news broadcasts (if they acknowledge authenticity questions), satire, and publishers who explicitly state the content is not real. Violators face civil fines up to $10,000 for repeat offenses, $5,000 for intent to cause harm, or $1,000 for other violations. The law directly affects anyone distributing election-related content, including social media users, campaigns, and media outlets.
HB 2270 directs Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration to study and report on state funding sources derived from lawsuits or investigations that support children's online mental health and safety. Specifically, it requires a report by January 15, 2027, detailing how funds - such as civil penalties from cases under the Protecting Children from Social Media Act - are used to protect children online. The bill does not create new laws or change funding allocations but mandates this review to inform future decisions. It is a procedural measure focused solely on gathering information, not implementing policy changes.
HB 2522 requires large commercial online platforms (with 10 million+ monthly U.S. active users) to implement systems letting users report unmarked or improperly age-restricted content harmful to minors. Platforms must acknowledge reports within 48 hours, review them within 7 business days, and take action like removal or age restriction. They must also publish semi-annual transparency reports detailing report volumes and resolutions, and face private lawsuits by parents if they fail to act on repeated reports - potentially resulting in $5,000 per violation. The bill targets platforms that permit harmful content without effective age verification, directly affecting major social media and app companies. The bill is currently in committee review (Commerce Committee) after initial filing.
HB 2057 requires Tennessee social media platforms to delete all personal information linked to a user's account when that account is deleted. This applies to data collected directly through the account by the account holder or other users, but excludes de-identified data and publicly available information. The law preserves existing data deletion rules under Tennessee's Information Protection Act (TIPA) for users who don't delete accounts, and allows lawsuits for violations with potential damages, attorney fees, and injunctions. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, impacting both social media companies operating in Tennessee and their users who delete accounts.
Tennessee's SB 1799 requires social media platforms (like Facebook or Instagram) to delete all personal information linked to an account when the account holder deletes their account. This applies to data collected directly through the platform by the account holder or other users, excluding publicly available information or de-identified data. The law creates a private right to sue platforms that fail to comply, allowing for damages, penalties, and attorney fees. It takes effect January 1, 2027, and excludes email services, cloud storage, payment platforms, and other non-social media services from its scope.
