Social media platforms: false information.

Existing law prohibits a person, among others, from making or disseminating in any advertising device, or in any manner or means whatever, including over the internet, any statement concerning real or personal property or services that is untrue or misleading, as specified. Existing law defines libel as a false and unprivileged publication, including by writing, printing, or picture, that exposes any person to hatred, contempt, and ridicule, among other things. This bill would require a person that operates a social media platform, as defined, to disclose whether or not that social media platform has a policy or mechanism in place to address the spread of misinformation, as specified. The bill would require the disclosure to be made easily accessible on the social media platform's website and mobile application. The bill would provide 30 days to cure a violation of its provisions. The bill would authorize only the Attorney General to enforce violations of its provisions and would subject a person to a civil penalty of $1,000 for each day the person is in violation of the bill's provisions. The bill would require those penalty moneys to be deposited into the Public Rights Law Enforcement Special Fund.