Technology

HF 864 requires commercial internet platforms (referred to as "covered platforms") that regularly host obscene material as part of their business to verify users' ages before allowing access. It defines "covered platforms" based on factors like the proportion of obscene content, user traffic to that content, and revenue generated from it. Platforms must use methods like government ID or financial documents for age verification, prohibit retaining identifying information after verification, and may use privacy-preserving techniques like zero-knowledge proofs. Violations can result in civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, enforced by the Iowa Attorney General. The bill explicitly excludes liability for regular users and providers like ISPs merely offering connectivity.

SF 2415 requires AI chatbot providers operating in Iowa to implement specific safeguards for user mental health. It prohibits chatbots from offering mental health advice, pretending to be licensed professionals, or simulating human interaction. Providers must detect self-harm or suicidal thoughts and refer users to crisis services (like the national lifeline or Iowa crisis hotline), while clearly disclosing the chatbot is not human or a substitute for professional care at key interaction points. Violations could result in civil penalties up to $40,000 per incident, enforced by the attorney general under consumer fraud laws.

This Iowa bill establishes rules for chatbots, requiring developers to clearly disclose that these AI tools are not human beings and do not provide professional advice like medical or legal services. The law prohibits chatbots from encouraging self-harm or violence and mandates regular reminders to users about the AI's limitations. Violations could result in civil penalties of up to $100,000 per incident, which would be collected by the state attorney general. The attorney general would also have the authority to create additional rules to implement these requirements.

This bill creates a process for businesses in Iowa to challenge lawsuits alleging website accessibility violations as "abusive litigation." It directly affects Iowa-based businesses operating public accommodations (including websites), law firms filing such lawsuits, and the Attorney General. Key provisions establish that if a defendant makes a good-faith effort to fix an accessibility issue within 30 days of notice, the lawsuit is presumed abusive - unless the issue remains uncorrected after 90 days. Courts must consider factors like the number of similar lawsuits filed by the same attorney or history of frivolous claims when determining abuse, and can award attorney fees or punitive damages (up to three times those fees) against abusive cases. The bill applies to lawsuits filed on or after July 1, 2026.

This bill requires app stores and developers to implement specific protections for minors (under 18) using mobile apps. App stores must verify a user’s age category (child, younger teen, older teen, or adult) during account creation, and for minors, they must link the account to a parent account and obtain verifiable parental consent before any app download, purchase, or in-app transaction. The law also mandates that app stores notify parents of significant app changes (like new in-app purchases or privacy updates) and secure parental consent renewal. These requirements apply to all app stores operating in Iowa, directly affecting app providers, developers, and minor users.