Communications: internet; digital age assurance act; create. Creates new act.
The legislation introduces specific requirements for covered manufacturers, including utilizing application programming interfaces to provide age-related digital signals to online platforms. Websites and applications that make available mature content will be obligated to block access to individuals under 18 and provide disclaimers when displaying such content. Furthermore, if a minor is identified, the services must offer tools for parental management, allowing parents to restrict access to certain features or content, manage accounts linked to the minor, and limit screen time.
Senate Bill 284, titled the 'Digital Age Assurance Act', is designed to regulate mature content on digital platforms—including websites, applications, and online services. The bill aims to ensure that manufacturers of devices and digital applications take proactive measures to prevent minors from accessing sexually explicit content. By establishing age verification protocols, the legislation seeks to shift the responsibility of safeguarding minors onto digital manufacturers, requiring them to implement technical measures to estimate the age of users based on signals from the device at activation.
Some contention surrounding SB 284 arises from concerns about implementation and privacy implications. Critics argue that mandating age verification could lead to data collection practices that might compromise user privacy, as manufacturers will need to gather and process personal data to comply. Furthermore, there is debate over the effectiveness of digital signals in correctly identifying age and the potential for misuse of the data collected for competitive purposes. The bill does not allow for a private right of action, placing enforcement solely in the hands of the state, which may raise concerns about accountability and recourse for users subject to violations of their rights.