Technology (Online Safety)

signed · Alabama · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 161: Consumer protection, app store providers and developers required to take certain actions related to age verification and parental consent, Attorney General authorized to bring action for violations as deceptive trade practice, parents authorized to bring civil action

HB 161 requires app stores and developers to implement age verification and obtain parental consent for certain apps targeting minors. It directly affects app providers, developers, and parents of children under 18. The bill authorizes Alabama's Attorney General to enforce violations as deceptive trade practices and allows parents to file civil lawsuits for noncompliance. Key provisions include mandatory age checks before app downloads and clarifying that this law doesn't override other state age verification requirements. The bill is currently pending in the Alabama House of Representatives.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires age verification and parental consent for apps targeting minors, regulating data collection to protect children's privacy under consumer protection laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Tags Consumer Protection

in committee · Alabama · House Feb 24, 2026

HB 173: Consumer protection; access by minors to certain platform portions restricted; hours for sending notifications to covered minors limited; default platform settings on certain platforms required; mechanism for more stringent optional settings required; annual disclosure of certain data by covered operators required; violations a deceptive trade practice

HB 173 requires online platforms (like social media) to restrict algorithmic recommendations and content prioritization for minors under 18 unless parental consent is obtained or age is verified. It limits notification hours for minors, sets default platform settings to restrict access during certain times, and mandates tools for parents to enable stricter controls. Platforms must annually disclose specific data and face penalties under Alabama’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act for violations. The bill directly affects minors using covered platforms and the operators of those platforms.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRestricts platform algorithms for minors, mandates default privacy settings, and requires data disclosures to protect minors' data privacy under consumer protection regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

Track

in committee · Alabama · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 172: Consumer protection; software applications, age appropriateness, rules established for app developers and app distribution providers, civil penalties established

SB 172, the Access & Responsible Digital Safety Act, requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) to verify user age during account creation and share this information with developers to adjust content for minors. It mandates app stores to provide parents with tools to manage their children’s app access and restrict age-inappropriate content, while developers must ensure age-appropriate experiences and block targeted ads for children. Violations could trigger civil penalties enforced by Alabama’s Attorney General, with limited liability protections for app stores acting in good faith. The bill directly affects app store operators, developers of age-sensitive apps, and parents of minors using connected devices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates age verification, parental controls, and blocks targeted ads for children to protect minors, aligning with consumer protection in technology.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety

Track

died · Alabama · Senate Apr 7, 2026

SB 234: Proof of Age; require certain retailers to use digital or card-swipe technology to verify customer age at point of sale

SB 234 requires retailers selling alcohol, tobacco, vape products, or consumable hemp to use digital or card-swipe technology to verify a customer's age at the point of sale after a violation for failing to check age. It authorizes two specific methods: a secure mobile app using minimal driver's license data or a card reader for state ID. The law applies to retailers found in violation of age verification rules and becomes effective October 1, 2026. It directly affects businesses selling age-restricted products in Alabama, aiming to improve verification accuracy after prior enforcement issues.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates secure, minimal-data technology for age verification, directly protecting consumer data privacy (key aspect of topic).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 171: Social media; certain media feeds lacking age verification, Attorney General authorized to enforce

HB 171 would require social media platforms to implement age verification or obtain parental consent before allowing minors under 18 to access algorithmically curated content streams ("addictive feeds"). It prohibits platforms from sending notifications to minors between midnight and 6 a.m. and mandates disclosure of how algorithms prioritize content. The bill authorizes Alabama's Attorney General to enforce these rules, allowing platforms to correct violations before legal action. This legislation directly affects social media operators hosting such feeds in Alabama and applies to users under 18, though it remains pending committee review.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires age verification for minors' algorithmic content access, prohibits late-night notifications, mandates algorithm transparency, and authorizes enforcement for consumer protection in social media.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Online Safety Social Media

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Jan 22, 2026

HB 324: Artificial intelligence; age verification systems required for chatbots, safeguard protocols required, therapy chatbot requirements established, private right of action and enforcement provided for

HB 324 requires AI chatbot providers to verify the age of all users through a strict process (like government ID, not just birth dates) and prevents minors under 19 from accessing chatbots with human-like features (e.g., those suggesting sentience or emotional bonding). It mandates providers to offer a simplified version without such features to minors if reasonable, implement safety protocols to detect and respond to emergencies (like self-harm), and limit data collection to what’s necessary for legitimate purposes. Therapeutic chatbots meeting specific standards, prescribed by a licensed psychiatrist, may still be used by minors. The bill directly affects AI chatbot providers and minors, creating enforceable requirements without banning chatbots entirely.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates safety protocols for therapy chatbots to detect self-harm emergencies, protecting minors and supporting mental health services.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires age verification, safety protocols, and limits data collection for minors, aligning with consumer protection in AI regulation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy Online Safety

Track

in committee · Alabama · House Jan 14, 2026

HB 219: Consumer protection; software applications, age appropriateness, rules established for app developers and app distribution providers, civil penalties established

HB 219, the Access & Responsible Digital Safety Act, requires app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play) to verify user ages when accounts are created and provide age information to app developers. It mandates that app developers must offer different experiences for minors versus adults, block minors from accessing restricted content without parental consent, and stop advertising to children. Parents gain tools to manage their children's app access, and app stores must share age data with developers only for safety purposes. Violations could trigger civil penalties enforced by the Attorney General, while app stores making good-faith efforts face limited liability. The bill directly affects app stores, developers, and parents of minors using mobile applications.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates age verification, content blocking for minors, and stops child-targeted ads - enhancing digital privacy and safety through consumer protection regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Online Safety

Track