United States of America: Introduced Cyberbullying Protection Act (SB 1504)

On 16 February 2024, the Cyberbullying Protection Act (SB 1504) was introduced to the California Legislature. The Act would amend Sections 22589, 22589.1, 22589.2, and 22589.3 of the Business and Professions Code related to social media platforms. The Act would enhance the mechanisms for reporting and addressing cyberbullying on social media platforms. Specifically, the Act would expand the definition of cyberbullying to include severe or pervasive conduct targeting minors like content that encourages self-harm, targets victims of sexual abuse, or threatens to disclose personal information. The Act would further increase the penalties for platforms that fail to comply with the Act's provisions to up to USD 75'000 per intentional violation. Additionally, the Act would mandate social media platforms to provide a more responsive and transparent reporting process for cyberbullying incidents. Social media platforms would be required to establish a mechanism to meet criteria, including that the mechanism provides, within 36 hours of receipt of a report, written confirmation to the reporting individual that the social media platform received that individual’s report.