Bill > H0323

This bill adds a new chapter to existing Idaho law, known as the "Stop Social Media Censorship Act." The key provisions of the bill are as follows: 1. It provides a private right of action for social media website users in Idaho against the owner/operator of a social media website if the website purposefully deletes or censors the user's religious or political speech, or uses an algorithm to disfavor, shadowban, or censure the user's religious or political speech. 2. Prevailing users can recover damages, including a minimum of $75,000 in statutory damages per purposeful deletion or censorship, actual damages, and potentially punitive damages. The prevailing party may also recover costs and attorney's fees. 3. The bill includes exceptions, such as allowing the removal of content that calls for violence, self-harm, is obscene or harmful to minors, or involves impersonation, criminal conduct, or bullying of minors. 4. Only users 18 years of age or older have standing to seek enforcement of this law, which can be filed in the district court of the county where the person resides or has their principal place of business. The bill declares an emergency and takes effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Government Affairs, Justice

State Affairs Committee (House)

https://legislature.idaho.gov/sessioninfo/2021/legislation/H0323/