The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) is set to present its case today before the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Advanced Information Technology, the Internet, and Cybersecurity. The organization plans to express concerns regarding a proposed bill, H 4229/S 30, which they argue could impose significant restrictions on online expression and pose constitutional and privacy challenges.
CCIA acknowledges the importance of assisting families in managing social media usage and enhancing digital safety for children. However, they caution that the bill's extensive age verification requirements and content restrictions might inadvertently hinder access to valuable online communities, educational resources, and support networks, particularly affecting marginalized groups.
The association points out that similar laws have been overturned by federal courts in other states due to First Amendment violations. They argue that such laws limit free speech and compromise user anonymity online. Additionally, the bill could necessitate websites to gather more personal data from both minors and adults without clear guidelines on what constitutes a "commercially reasonable" age verification method. This ambiguity could create legal uncertainties and disproportionately affect small businesses unable to afford costly compliance measures.
Kyle Sepe, Northeast Regional State Policy Manager at CCIA, stated: “It’s critical that we protect children online, and one effective way to do that is by supporting voluntary tools like daily time limits and child-safe search that give parents more control over their child’s social media use. H 4229/S 30 requires age verification for all users, restricting young people’s access to supportive resources. The bill also risks exposing adults and minors to privacy risks and limiting their access to constitutionally protected speech. Rather than promoting safety, this bill could lead platforms to deny services to anyone under 18 and ultimately do more harm than good. We urge lawmakers to reject this legislation and instead work with stakeholders on practical approaches that empower parents and protect users of all ages.”