Bill > SB262

This bill, effective January 1, 2027, aims to protect minors on social media platforms by prohibiting individuals under 16 years of age who are residents of Alaska from holding accounts on such platforms, requiring platforms to terminate existing accounts of minors under 16 and permanently delete their data unless legally required to retain it, and allowing minors under 16 to request account termination within five business days. Furthermore, social media platforms are forbidden from using the personal data of any account holder under 18 years old in personalized recommendation systems, though they can still display content that a minor under 18 has chosen to follow or subscribe to in a chronological format. The bill also outlines remedies for violations, allowing the Attorney General to seek punitive damages for a pattern of knowing or reckless violations, and grants account holders under 18 who are harmed by a knowing or reckless violation the right to bring a lawsuit, but only through their parent or guardian within one year of discovering the violation. These provisions apply to social media platforms that meet specific criteria regarding the usage habits of minors under 18 and the presence of addictive features, such as continuous scrolling, push notifications, or auto-playing videos.