Bill > H7746

This bill, known as the Rhode Island Children's Online Safety Act, aims to protect children under eighteen years old who use online platforms by requiring platform operators to implement specific safety measures. It mandates that for any user identified as a "covered minor" (under 18), features like direct communication with unconnected users, viewing their profile, tagging them, or engaging in financial transactions with them will be turned off by default, meaning these actions will require prior approval. Parents or legal guardians can override these default settings, but the platform operator must notify the parent when a minor attempts to change them, and the parent must approve or deny the request. For children under thirteen, parental approval is specifically required for all new connections. Furthermore, all covered minors will need parental approval for any financial transactions, and parents will have ongoing access to a history of these transactions. The bill also prohibits "dark patterns," which are deceptive design elements that undermine these protections, and states that operators cannot discriminate against users for complying with these provisions. The Attorney General is empowered to create regulations, enforce the law, and pursue remedies such as fines and injunctions for violations.

Business and Industry

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