PERSONAL INFORMATION-VIOLATION
The bill introduces significant legal ramifications for non-compliance by social media companies. If a court determines that a platform has violated the stipulations set forth in the Act, it can impose actual damages at the rate of $1,000 per day for each violation, along with reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the user in pursuing litigation. This provision empowers users to take legal action, enhancing the accountability of social media platforms concerning user data security and rights.
House Bill 5454 aims to bolster protections for users of social media platforms by amending the Personal Information Protection Act. It specifically addresses cases where users' accounts are hacked and not restored by the platforms within a stipulated timeframe. Under this legislation, social media websites defined as having over 75 million subscribers and open to the public are required to restore account access within 24 hours of a security breach discovery. Additionally, they must notify affected users of the breach within seven days and provide instructions for restoring account integrity.
Notably, the bill may stir debate regarding its enforceability and the potential implications for social media platforms. There might be concerns from industry stakeholders regarding operational constraints imposed by the law. Additionally, discussions could arise about the balance between user privacy and the regulatory burdens placed on social media companies, which may influence how they handle user data and security measures in the future.