Technology (Social Media)

in committee · Texas · House Mar 6, 2025

HB 921: Relating to statutory damages in actions brought by social media users against social media platforms for prohibited censorship.

HB 921 allows social media users to sue platforms for prohibited censorship and seek specific statutory damages. If a platform violates the law by censoring a user's content, the user can recover between $750 and $30,000 per violation, plus declaratory relief, injunctive relief, and attorney fees. The bill explicitly states that certain other legal provisions (Sections 41.003 and 41.004) do not apply to these lawsuits. This law applies only to cases filed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect cases that accrued before that date.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables user lawsuits against social media censorship, regulating platforms for consumer protection under digital rights framework85% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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in committee · Texas · House Mar 14, 2025

HB 2173: Relating to a warning label on social media platforms concerning the association between a minor's social media usage and significant mental health issues.

HB 2173 requires social media platforms operating in Texas to display a warning label on their landing page each time a user opens the platform. The label must address the association between minors' social media use and significant mental health issues. The executive commissioner will establish the label's specific content and format by January 2026, with platforms required to comply starting March 2026. This law directly affects social media platforms serving Texas users, not individual minors or parents. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires social media platforms to display mental health warnings for minors, regulating tech platforms for user safety per consumer protection indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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in committee · Texas · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 2152: Relating to third-party software providers' ability to manage certain users' social media accounts.

SB 2152 requires social media platforms in Texas to create and provide real-time tools (APIs) allowing parents or guardians to delegate management of a child's account to third-party software providers. This directly affects minors using social media and their parents/guardians, enabling them to manage the child's online activity, content, and account settings through approved third-party tools. The bill mandates that platforms offer these management capabilities on the same terms as the child's own account access. It takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies to all social media platforms operating in Texas.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires social media platforms to provide parental control APIs for minors' accounts, enhancing data privacy and consumer protection through third-party management tools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Texas · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 4189: Relating to content filters provided by Internet service providers.

HB 4189 requires Texas internet service providers (ISPs) to offer customers a free, optional content filter that blocks access to explicit material defined as visual depictions of sexual conduct or intimate body parts. The filter must prevent customers from accessing such material when enabled and notify them when blocking occurs. It directly affects all Texas customers who subscribe to internet service, giving them the choice to activate the filter at no additional cost. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not mandate filters but requires ISPs to make them available.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates free content filters for consumer protection, aligning with regulating ISPs to enhance user safety online per topic indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Texas · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 4298: Relating to parental controls and filters for certain explicit material on electronic devices; providing a civil penalty.

HB 4298 requires electronic device manufacturers selling in Texas to automatically enable filters on devices activated in the state. The filters must block minors (under 18) from accessing explicit content - including images of intimate parts, sexual conduct, or simulated sexual material - via mobile data, internet, or manufacturer apps. Users must be notified when content is blocked, and parents/guardians can bypass the filter with a password. Manufacturers who fail to comply face civil penalties, directly affecting device sellers and minor users in Texas.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates device filters for minor safety, regulating tech companies for consumer protection under privacy and safety subjects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Texas · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 4976: Relating to age verification requirements for digital service providers.

HB 4976 requires digital service providers (like social media platforms) operating in Texas to verify the age of users before creating accounts. Specifically, providers must collect a user’s age during sign-up and verify it using reliable methods for anyone 18 or older. Users under 18 are treated as minors until they turn 18 and their age is verified. The law applies only to new accounts created on or after September 1, 2025, and does not affect existing accounts. It directly impacts digital platforms serving Texas residents.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates age verification for digital services, enhancing privacy protections for minors and aligning with data privacy regulations under Electronic Information Systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Texas · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 4456: Relating to requiring social media platforms to verify the age of account holders on the platform.

HB 4456 requires social media platforms to verify the age of Texas residents before they can create new accounts. Platforms must use reasonable methods (like public or private data) to confirm users are 18+ and cannot retain or misuse the personal information collected during verification. Parents or guardians can request deletion of a minor’s account within 10 days, and platforms must comply. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, applying only to new accounts created after that date, with violations treated as deceptive trade practices under Texas law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires age verification with data privacy safeguards and parental deletion rights, strengthening consumer protection for minors' digital data under technology regulation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Online Safety Social Media

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in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 2638: Relating to the misleading use of bot accounts; authorizing a civil penalty.

SB 2638 prohibits using automated social media accounts (bots) to deceive people into commercial transactions or influence elections when the bot's identity is hidden. Businesses and election actors would be barred from misleading users about bot activity during sales or campaign efforts, unless they clearly disclose the account is automated. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $8,000 per incident, enforced by the Attorney General. The law applies to deceptive practices in both commercial and election contexts, with disclosure as a legal exception. It takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates deceptive bot use to protect consumers from fraud in digital transactions and elections, aligning with data privacy and consumer protection standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Social Media

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in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 2682: Relating to civil liability for online impersonation.

SB 2682 creates a new civil cause of action for victims of online impersonation in Texas. It defines online impersonation as using someone's name, voice, photo, or likeness on social media without consent (or parental consent for minors) to create a false identity with intent to harm, defraud, intimidate, or threaten. Victims can seek actual damages for related costs (like counseling or identity theft recovery), at least $500 in punitive damages, and court-ordered injunctions to stop the impersonation. The law excludes satire, parody, and law enforcement activities from liability.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates legal remedy for online impersonation, strengthening personal data privacy protections online per bill's definition of harm and remedies for victims.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Social Media

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in committee · Texas · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 2787: Relating to digital citizenship and media literacy instruction in public schools and a public school policy regarding Internet safety.

SB 2787 requires Texas public school districts to incorporate digital citizenship and media literacy instruction for students in grades 6 through 12. The bill mandates curriculum covering social media impacts (including mental health effects and misinformation), online security, identifying credible sources, and respectful online discourse, with districts required to post materials online and notify parents. It also requires school districts to adopt Internet safety policies protecting students on school networks. This law directly affects all Texas public school students in middle and high school and their school districts. The policy changes focus on equipping students with practical skills for responsible online behavior through standardized curriculum requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates digital citizenship curriculum for grades 6-12, enhancing media literacy, online safety, and critical thinking skills in public schools per bill requirements.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates digital citizenship curriculum covering online security, misinformation, and respectful discourse, enhancing student cybersecurity awareness and digital literacy per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Safety Online Safety Social Media

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