This July, US Commonwealth of Puerto Rico introduced a social networking bill, HB 3526.
Not limited to email addresses or sensitive information, HB 3526 applies to any identifiable information about users under 18. This could apply to something as innocent as a 17 year-old sharing pictures of her newborn at justmommies.com.
HB 3526 also requires a social network to remove upon request any user information within 72-hours or face fines of $10,000 for each violation. This could even include information not submitted by the user, for example, a friend naming the user in a post or a photograph. So, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez could demand that Facebook remove any info critical of his regime. That would put a stop to social networks’ newfound power to generate social change and open public debate.
In addition, social networks are precluded from posting any information about the user other than name or town without parental consent. So if a 17 year-old wanted to share their favorite websites or photos with their friends, they would need parental consent.
If a 17 year-old wanted to share their favorite websites or photos with their friends, they would need parental consent.
Worst of all, this bill applies even if the social network has no idea of the age of the user.
So a social network that forbids any users under 18 would still be subject to a $10,000 fine if a minor lies about their age to gain access to that social network.
This bill is similar to the one from our Spring iAwful list that California voted down.
NetChoice Letter to California Legislators in Opposition of Do Not Track Bill
NetChoice Letter to California Legislators in Opposition of Child Social Networking Bill
The Facts Speak for Themselves on Privacy for Social Networking Sites
Privacy Legislation: A Solution In Search of a Problem
Gratitude for Golden State Senators
September 15, 2011 at 9:02 am
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