Bill > H4153

This bill aims to reduce the incidence and sharing of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) by requiring content-sharing platforms to utilize "qualifying software" that can detect and report CSAM. The key provisions include: 1. Defining "qualifying software" as software that can identify CSAM, share hash values (unique digital signatures) with databases like the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and immediately report CSAM to law enforcement. 2. Mandating that content-sharing platforms (online mediums and cloud-based applications accessible in Massachusetts) use qualifying software to evaluate all uploaded images and videos. 3. Establishing a department within the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation to oversee implementation and compliance, and authorizing the Attorney General and Undersecretary to identify or develop qualifying software. 4. Imposing fines of $10,000-$50,000 for platforms found in violation, with additional compliance monitoring for repeat offenders. 5. Allowing for further penalties if a platform is found to be promoting, knowingly sharing, or knowingly allowing the sharing of CSAM. The bill gives content-sharing platforms 1 year to comply after the regulations are published and requires new platforms to be compliant from the start.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H4153