Bill > AB656

This bill requires large social media platforms (defined as those generating over $100 million annually) to provide users with a clear and easily accessible "Delete Account" button located directly in the platform's settings menu across all access points like mobile apps and web browsers. The bill mandates that when a user clicks this button, the platform must provide straightforward, cost-effective steps for account deletion that include removing the user's personal information, and the platform cannot use "dark patterns" or other tactics to obstruct or complicate the account deletion process. The legislation is specifically motivated by research showing the potential negative mental health impacts of social media on adolescents, including increased risks of addiction and suicide-related outcomes. By ensuring a simple account deletion mechanism, the bill aims to give users, particularly young people, more control over their digital engagement. The bill also specifies that a user's account deletion request will be treated as a personal information deletion request under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and logging back into an account after requesting deletion will not automatically cancel the deletion request.

Business and Industry, Justice

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260AB656