Bill > H102

This bill establishes comprehensive restrictions on social media companies from specific countries of concern (including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela) for Massachusetts government entities. The legislation defines a "social media company" as a digital platform with over 1 million monthly active users that allows user-generated content and meets certain criteria related to ownership, control, or influence by countries or entities of concern. Specifically, the bill prohibits employees of the Commonwealth, counties, and municipalities from downloading or using applications from these designated social media companies on government-owned electronic devices. The Secretary of the Executive Office of Technology Services and Security is required to develop and implement a plan to remove hardware and software from government networks, prevent installation of prohibited technologies, and implement network restrictions. The secretary must also file an initial report within 180 days detailing the risks associated with these social media companies and provide annual reassessments with policy recommendations. The bill explicitly names companies like ByteDance, TikTok, and WeChat as being subject to these restrictions, and it takes effect immediately upon passage. The bill's stated purpose is to protect Massachusetts residents from potential surveillance and security risks posed by foreign adversaries through social media platforms.

Business and Industry

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H102