California enacts privacy law regarding content aimed at children
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Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, which places specified requirements on online services or products directed at children.
The measure is an extension of the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020.
“Online services, products or features that are likely to be accessed by children should offer strong privacy protections by design and by default, including by disabling features that profile children using their previous behavior, browsing history, or assumptions of their similarity to other children, to offer detrimental material,” says the bill, which was signed into law on Thursday and takes effect July 1, 2024.
The law requires businesses to use “clear language” in providing privacy information that is suited to the age of the children likely to use it, according to the law. It defines children as consumers who are under the age of 18.
Violators of the law are liable for a civil penalty of up to $2,500 per affected child, and up to $7,500 for each intentional violation.
