Bill > HB792

This bill establishes new criminal offenses related to digital fraud on social media platforms, defining "operator" as the entity running a social media platform and "social media platform" as a public website or service where users can create accounts, interact, and post content. It creates the offense of digital identity fraud for knowingly and without authorization using or mimicking another Georgia resident's identity on social media with intent to deceive or defraud, and criminal digital design for creating interactive content that encourages felonies involving force or violence. Violations of these offenses are felonies punishable by imprisonment and significant fines. The bill also requires social media platform operators to evaluate claims of such fraud within 72 hours of notice, with civil penalties for non-compliance, and mandates that operators restrict public access to content alleged to violate these offenses within 72 hours of receiving official communication from law enforcement, also subject to civil fines for failure to comply. Furthermore, it grants individuals harmed by these violations a right to sue for damages, including attorney's fees, and clarifies that the law does not infringe on free speech rights or hold operators liable as publishers of user content, consistent with federal law (Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act).