Technology (Social Media)

SB 503 establishes the Minor Exploitation Prevention Act to regulate how mobile applications are distributed and used by minors in Louisiana. The law requires app stores to verify user ages and allows developers of apps intended for adults to request age signals from these platforms to restrict access to younger users. App developers must also avoid showing personalized ads to minors and provide tools for parents to supervise their children's usage. While the bill places liability on developers for correctly identifying their apps as adult-only, it protects app stores from legal responsibility if they act in good faith regarding age verification.

HB 220 requires "covered platforms" (like social media, video games, and messaging apps that host user-generated content) to implement a clear, easy-to-use reporting mechanism for suspected child exploitation content. Platforms must provide plain-language labels like "Report Child Sexual Exploitation," allow anonymous reporting without account registration, and confirm receipt of reports. Non-compliant platforms face civil penalties of up to $5,000 per day, with funds directed to child cybercrime investigations. The law excludes email services, government sites, educational tools, and non-user-generated content platforms from its requirements.

SB 386 creates Louisiana's first comprehensive data privacy law, granting residents the right to opt out of having their personal data shared by businesses. It directly affects Louisiana residents (as "consumers") and businesses collecting their data, requiring companies to provide clear choices about data use. Key provisions include a general opt-out right for data sharing, definitions of personal data (like location and biometrics), and specific protections for sensitive information such as health records. The law applies broadly to businesses processing data on Louisiana residents, not limited to social media platforms as the title suggests.

HB 427, the "Kids Online Protection and Anti-Grooming Act," requires online platforms (like social media and video games) that contract with minors under 16 in Louisiana to prioritize minors' privacy. It mandates two key changes: setting minor accounts to private by default (visible only to connected users) and alerting legal guardians if minors encounter sexually explicit material. The bill directly affects platforms operating in Louisiana with minor users, defining "minor" as anyone under 16 not emancipated or married. These provisions aim to reduce exposure to harmful content and strengthen parental oversight through default settings and notification systems.