HB 860 North Carolina House · 2025-2026 Session

Social Media Control in Information Technology Act.

HB 860, the Social Media Control in Information Technology Act, requires social media platforms with over 1 million U.S. monthly active users to stop using North Carolina minors' (under 18) personal data for advertising or algorithm-driven content recommendations. It mandates platforms to provide clear, easy-to-use privacy tools allowing users to control data sharing, with special opt-in consent required for minors' data. The bill prohibits "dark patterns" in consent processes and defines strict terms like "personal information" to cover data ranging from location to health details. Violations would be treated as unfair business practices under North Carolina law, with funds appropriated for enforcement. The law directly affects major social media platforms operating in North Carolina, focusing on protecting minors' data privacy rather than addressing broader social media use.

Issues: ✓ Technology

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Apr 9, 2025 Last action Jun 17, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Edition 1 → Edition 2 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to add new definitions for 'Usage data', 'Third-party data', 'Geolocation data', and 'Audio, electronic, visual, thermal, olfactory, or similar information' to the definition of 'Personal information'. Additionally, the definition of 'Opt-in mechanism' was updated to change 'Division of Health Service' to 'Division of Health Service Regulation'. These changes expand the scope of data covered under the legislation and clarify regulatory oversight.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include additional categories of personal information, specifically usage data, third-party data, geolocation data, and various sensory data types.

DEFINITION

Added new subcategories to the definition of 'Personal information' including 'Usage data', 'Third-party data', 'Geolocation data', and 'Audio, electronic, visual, thermal, olfactory, or similar information'.

Changed 'Division of Health Service' to 'Division of Health Service Regulation' in the 'Opt-in mechanism' definition to ensure accurate regulatory reference.

Added new text to the 'Collects, collected, or collection' definition to clarify that information gathering includes passive reception and observation of consumer behavior.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 17, 2025

Committee

Re-ref Com On Appropriations

lower

Jun 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reptd Fav Com Substitute

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Committee

Ref to the Com on Commerce and Economic Development, if favorable, Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

lower

Apr 9, 2025

Introduced

Filed

lower

3 primary · 14 co-sponsors