A bill for an act relating to certain commercial entities who publish or distribute obscene material on the internet, and providing civil penalties.(Formerly HF 62.)
HF864 will significantly alter how content is managed on platforms that distribute obscene material, tightening restrictions and establishing clear legal ramifications for non-compliance. The bill provides protections for individuals by mandating that covered platforms not retain any personal identifying information once age verification is completed. Additionally, it aims to enhance accountability among online service providers, which could influence broader discussions about digital privacy and content moderation policies across various internet platforms.
House File 864 (HF864) pertains to the regulation of commercial entities that publish or distribute obscene material on the internet. This bill establishes a framework requiring these entities, referred to as 'covered platforms,' to implement reasonable age verification practices to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate content. If a covered platform fails to comply, it could face civil penalties enforced by the attorney general, including fines up to $10,000 for each violation. Moreover, the bill also grants authority to the attorney general to pursue punitive damages up to three times the total amount of attorney fees incurred by plaintiffs who successfully bring forth such cases.
The introduction of HF864 has raised several points of contention among lawmakers and advocacy groups. Proponents emphasize the importance of protecting minors from exposure to harmful material online and view the bill as a necessary step in ensuring responsible digital citizenship. Conversely, critics argue that the age verification requirements could lead to excessive data collection and infringe on privacy rights, particularly if not managed with stringent oversight. There are concerns about the feasibility of implementing such systems without creating barriers for legitimate users while also addressing the potential for misuse of the data collected, even if retention is prohibited.