United States of America: Act concerning Social Media and Online Services, Products, and Features (SB 1295) including consumer protection regulation enters into force

On 1 January 2026, the Act Concerning Social Media Platforms and Online Services, Products and Features enters fully into force. The Act, which entered into effect on 1 July 2025, established a grace period during which regulated entities were expected to prepare for compliance. The Act mandated that, by 1 January 2026, owners of social media platforms must have implemented online safety centres offering users cyberbullying prevention resources, access to behavioural health materials, referrals to mental health services, and information on the psychological impacts of social media use. It also required the adoption of dedicated cyberbullying policies. Additionally, controllers that provided online services, products, or features to known or reasonably inferred minors were required to avoid practices that posed a heightened risk of harm, such as profiling or targeted advertising using minors’ personal data. The Act obligated the conduct of data protection and impact assessments to address such risks, and prohibited manipulative consent mechanisms and system features designed to prolong minors’ engagement. The Act further included provisions addressing broadband affordability, licensing of lottery vendors, and regulatory controls on online sports wagering.