Iowa Senate Bill SF2213

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/24
• Refer: 2/5/24

Caption

A bill for an act relating to minors using mobile devices, including protections for minors and civil liability.

Impact

The implications of SF2213 extend to manufacturers of mobile devices, who will now bear civil liability if their products do not meet the filtering requirements set forth in the bill. Specifically, if a minor accesses obscene material due to a failure in the filtering system, the manufacturer could face legal consequences. This shift places a significant burden on manufacturers to ensure that their devices comply with new standards, potentially leading to increased costs associated with implementing these necessary filters and could affect the development timeline of future devices.

Summary

Senate File 2213 is a bill focused on protecting minors using mobile devices by establishing requirements for filters that prevent access to obscene content. The bill mandates that devices activated from January 1, 2025, must automatically enable these filters based on the age of the user during activation. It allows manufacturers to implement a password system that lets parents or guardians deactivate the filters but prohibits individuals other than the legal guardians from doing so. This regulation aims to promote safer internet use among minors while assigning liability to manufacturers for non-compliance.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SF2213 include concerns regarding the feasibility and effectiveness of the filtering technology. Critics may argue that mandatory filters can infringe on user privacy and freedom of information, as well as highlight the challenges of ensuring accurate age verification without compromising security. Additionally, the civil liability imposed on manufacturers raises questions about accountability, and there's potential for legal disputes if the definitions of 'obscene' material come under scrutiny. Stakeholders, including parents, advocacy groups, and tech companies, may have differing views on the extent of regulation that should be placed on technology intended for minors.