| 1 | | - | Amended IN Assembly March 24, 2025 CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 656Introduced by Assembly Member SchiavoFebruary 13, 2025An act relating to civil law. An act to add Title 23 (commencing with Section 3273.72) to Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, relating to social media platforms.LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 656, as amended, Schiavo. Online subscriptions. Account cancellation.Existing law generally regulates social media platforms, including by requiring a social media company to post terms of service for each social media platform owned or operated by the company in a manner reasonably designed to inform all users of the social media platform of the existence and contents of the terms of service, as prescribed.This bill would require a social media platform to, on each screen visible to a user, clearly and conspicuously post a message that states that, by clicking on the message, the user may delete or suspend the users account and allow the user to delete the users account through that message, as specified.Existing law, the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, prohibits specified unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices underaken by any person in a transaction intended to result or which results in the sale or lease of goods or services to any consumer.This bill would state it is intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to online subscriptions. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Research demonstrates that adolescent individuals are at greater risk of developing addictive disorders.(b) Further, excessive use of digital and social media has a documented connection to increases in suicide-related outcomes in teenagers and children, such as suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts.(c) According to the University of Chicago, [f]irst, account deletion options vary considerably across platforms and the language used to describe these options is not always clear. Most platforms offer account deletion on desktop browsers but not all allow account deletion from mobile apps or browsers. Second, we found evidence of several dark patterns present in the account deletion interfaces and platform policies. Third, most participants had tried to delete at least one social media account, yet over one-third of deletion attempts were never completed.(d) Adolescents seeking to terminate an account that has become a source of addiction should be able to terminate their account without obstruction.(e) For all of these reasons, the Legislature declares it necessary in order to preserve the peace, welfare, and lives of its residents to ensure a minimum level of customer service when users wish to delete their accounts.SEC. 2. Title 23 (commencing with Section 3273.72) is added to Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, to read:TITLE 23. Social Media Platforms Endangering Californians3273.72. As used in this title:(a) Clearly and conspicuously has the same meaning as defined in Section 17601 of the Business and Professions Code.(b) Social media platform means a social media platform, as defined in Section 22675 of the Business and Professions Code, that generates more than one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) per year in gross revenues.3273.73. (a) A social media platform shall, on each screen visible to a user, clearly and conspicuously post a message that states that, by clicking on the message, the user may delete or suspend the users account.(b) If a user clicks on the message required by subdivision (a), the social media platform shall permit a user to complete a deletion or suspension of the users account but may seek confirmation of the request to delete or suspend the account through an email, text message, telephone call, or message.SEC. 3. (a) The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.(b) Any waiver of this act shall be void and unenforceable as contrary to public policy.SECTION 1.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to online subscriptions. |
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| 1 | + | CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE 20252026 REGULAR SESSION Assembly Bill No. 656Introduced by Assembly Member SchiavoFebruary 13, 2025 An act relating to civil law. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 656, as introduced, Schiavo. Online subscriptions.Existing law, the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, prohibits specified unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices underaken by any person in a transaction intended to result or which results in the sale or lease of goods or services to any consumer.This bill would state it is intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to online subscriptions. Digest Key Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: NO Local Program: NO Bill TextThe people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to online subscriptions. |
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| 28 | | - | Existing law generally regulates social media platforms, including by requiring a social media company to post terms of service for each social media platform owned or operated by the company in a manner reasonably designed to inform all users of the social media platform of the existence and contents of the terms of service, as prescribed.This bill would require a social media platform to, on each screen visible to a user, clearly and conspicuously post a message that states that, by clicking on the message, the user may delete or suspend the users account and allow the user to delete the users account through that message, as specified.Existing law, the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, prohibits specified unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices underaken by any person in a transaction intended to result or which results in the sale or lease of goods or services to any consumer.This bill would state it is intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to online subscriptions. |
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| 29 | | - | |
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| 30 | | - | Existing law generally regulates social media platforms, including by requiring a social media company to post terms of service for each social media platform owned or operated by the company in a manner reasonably designed to inform all users of the social media platform of the existence and contents of the terms of service, as prescribed. |
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| 31 | | - | |
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| 32 | | - | This bill would require a social media platform to, on each screen visible to a user, clearly and conspicuously post a message that states that, by clicking on the message, the user may delete or suspend the users account and allow the user to delete the users account through that message, as specified. |
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| 28 | + | Existing law, the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, prohibits specified unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices underaken by any person in a transaction intended to result or which results in the sale or lease of goods or services to any consumer.This bill would state it is intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to online subscriptions. |
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| 46 | | - | The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:(a) Research demonstrates that adolescent individuals are at greater risk of developing addictive disorders.(b) Further, excessive use of digital and social media has a documented connection to increases in suicide-related outcomes in teenagers and children, such as suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts.(c) According to the University of Chicago, [f]irst, account deletion options vary considerably across platforms and the language used to describe these options is not always clear. Most platforms offer account deletion on desktop browsers but not all allow account deletion from mobile apps or browsers. Second, we found evidence of several dark patterns present in the account deletion interfaces and platform policies. Third, most participants had tried to delete at least one social media account, yet over one-third of deletion attempts were never completed.(d) Adolescents seeking to terminate an account that has become a source of addiction should be able to terminate their account without obstruction.(e) For all of these reasons, the Legislature declares it necessary in order to preserve the peace, welfare, and lives of its residents to ensure a minimum level of customer service when users wish to delete their accounts.SEC. 2. Title 23 (commencing with Section 3273.72) is added to Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, to read:TITLE 23. Social Media Platforms Endangering Californians3273.72. As used in this title:(a) Clearly and conspicuously has the same meaning as defined in Section 17601 of the Business and Professions Code.(b) Social media platform means a social media platform, as defined in Section 22675 of the Business and Professions Code, that generates more than one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) per year in gross revenues.3273.73. (a) A social media platform shall, on each screen visible to a user, clearly and conspicuously post a message that states that, by clicking on the message, the user may delete or suspend the users account.(b) If a user clicks on the message required by subdivision (a), the social media platform shall permit a user to complete a deletion or suspension of the users account but may seek confirmation of the request to delete or suspend the account through an email, text message, telephone call, or message.SEC. 3. (a) The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.(b) Any waiver of this act shall be void and unenforceable as contrary to public policy.SECTION 1.It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to online subscriptions. |
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| 38 | + | The people of the State of California do enact as follows:SECTION 1. It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to online subscriptions. |
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| 59 | | - | |
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| 60 | | - | (a) Research demonstrates that adolescent individuals are at greater risk of developing addictive disorders. |
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| 61 | | - | |
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| 62 | | - | (b) Further, excessive use of digital and social media has a documented connection to increases in suicide-related outcomes in teenagers and children, such as suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts. |
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| 63 | | - | |
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| 64 | | - | (c) According to the University of Chicago, [f]irst, account deletion options vary considerably across platforms and the language used to describe these options is not always clear. Most platforms offer account deletion on desktop browsers but not all allow account deletion from mobile apps or browsers. Second, we found evidence of several dark patterns present in the account deletion interfaces and platform policies. Third, most participants had tried to delete at least one social media account, yet over one-third of deletion attempts were never completed. |
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| 65 | | - | |
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| 66 | | - | (d) Adolescents seeking to terminate an account that has become a source of addiction should be able to terminate their account without obstruction. |
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| 67 | | - | |
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| 68 | | - | (e) For all of these reasons, the Legislature declares it necessary in order to preserve the peace, welfare, and lives of its residents to ensure a minimum level of customer service when users wish to delete their accounts. |
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| 69 | | - | |
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| 70 | | - | SEC. 2. Title 23 (commencing with Section 3273.72) is added to Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, to read:TITLE 23. Social Media Platforms Endangering Californians3273.72. As used in this title:(a) Clearly and conspicuously has the same meaning as defined in Section 17601 of the Business and Professions Code.(b) Social media platform means a social media platform, as defined in Section 22675 of the Business and Professions Code, that generates more than one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) per year in gross revenues.3273.73. (a) A social media platform shall, on each screen visible to a user, clearly and conspicuously post a message that states that, by clicking on the message, the user may delete or suspend the users account.(b) If a user clicks on the message required by subdivision (a), the social media platform shall permit a user to complete a deletion or suspension of the users account but may seek confirmation of the request to delete or suspend the account through an email, text message, telephone call, or message. |
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| 71 | | - | |
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| 72 | | - | SEC. 2. Title 23 (commencing with Section 3273.72) is added to Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, to read: |
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| 73 | | - | |
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| 74 | | - | ### SEC. 2. |
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| 75 | | - | |
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| 76 | | - | TITLE 23. Social Media Platforms Endangering Californians3273.72. As used in this title:(a) Clearly and conspicuously has the same meaning as defined in Section 17601 of the Business and Professions Code.(b) Social media platform means a social media platform, as defined in Section 22675 of the Business and Professions Code, that generates more than one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) per year in gross revenues.3273.73. (a) A social media platform shall, on each screen visible to a user, clearly and conspicuously post a message that states that, by clicking on the message, the user may delete or suspend the users account.(b) If a user clicks on the message required by subdivision (a), the social media platform shall permit a user to complete a deletion or suspension of the users account but may seek confirmation of the request to delete or suspend the account through an email, text message, telephone call, or message. |
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| 77 | | - | |
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| 78 | | - | TITLE 23. Social Media Platforms Endangering Californians3273.72. As used in this title:(a) Clearly and conspicuously has the same meaning as defined in Section 17601 of the Business and Professions Code.(b) Social media platform means a social media platform, as defined in Section 22675 of the Business and Professions Code, that generates more than one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) per year in gross revenues.3273.73. (a) A social media platform shall, on each screen visible to a user, clearly and conspicuously post a message that states that, by clicking on the message, the user may delete or suspend the users account.(b) If a user clicks on the message required by subdivision (a), the social media platform shall permit a user to complete a deletion or suspension of the users account but may seek confirmation of the request to delete or suspend the account through an email, text message, telephone call, or message. |
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| 79 | | - | |
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| 80 | | - | TITLE 23. Social Media Platforms Endangering Californians |
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| 81 | | - | |
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| 82 | | - | TITLE 23. Social Media Platforms Endangering Californians |
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| 83 | | - | |
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| 84 | | - | 3273.72. As used in this title:(a) Clearly and conspicuously has the same meaning as defined in Section 17601 of the Business and Professions Code.(b) Social media platform means a social media platform, as defined in Section 22675 of the Business and Professions Code, that generates more than one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) per year in gross revenues. |
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| 85 | | - | |
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| 86 | | - | |
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| 87 | | - | |
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| 88 | | - | 3273.72. As used in this title: |
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| 89 | | - | |
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| 90 | | - | (a) Clearly and conspicuously has the same meaning as defined in Section 17601 of the Business and Professions Code. |
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| 91 | | - | |
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| 92 | | - | (b) Social media platform means a social media platform, as defined in Section 22675 of the Business and Professions Code, that generates more than one hundred million dollars ($100,000,000) per year in gross revenues. |
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| 93 | | - | |
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| 94 | | - | 3273.73. (a) A social media platform shall, on each screen visible to a user, clearly and conspicuously post a message that states that, by clicking on the message, the user may delete or suspend the users account.(b) If a user clicks on the message required by subdivision (a), the social media platform shall permit a user to complete a deletion or suspension of the users account but may seek confirmation of the request to delete or suspend the account through an email, text message, telephone call, or message. |
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| 95 | | - | |
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| 96 | | - | |
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| 97 | | - | |
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| 98 | | - | 3273.73. (a) A social media platform shall, on each screen visible to a user, clearly and conspicuously post a message that states that, by clicking on the message, the user may delete or suspend the users account. |
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| 99 | | - | |
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| 100 | | - | (b) If a user clicks on the message required by subdivision (a), the social media platform shall permit a user to complete a deletion or suspension of the users account but may seek confirmation of the request to delete or suspend the account through an email, text message, telephone call, or message. |
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| 101 | | - | |
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| 102 | | - | SEC. 3. (a) The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.(b) Any waiver of this act shall be void and unenforceable as contrary to public policy. |
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| 103 | | - | |
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| 104 | | - | SEC. 3. (a) The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.(b) Any waiver of this act shall be void and unenforceable as contrary to public policy. |
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| 105 | | - | |
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| 106 | | - | SEC. 3. (a) The provisions of this act are severable. If any provision of this act or its application is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application. |
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| 107 | | - | |
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| 108 | | - | ### SEC. 3. |
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| 109 | | - | |
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| 110 | | - | (b) Any waiver of this act shall be void and unenforceable as contrary to public policy. |
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| 111 | | - | |
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| 112 | | - | |
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| 113 | | - | |
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| 114 | | - | It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation relating to online subscriptions. |
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