California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed an appeal against a decision made by the Northern District of California. The decision blocked the enforcement of the Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, addressing a lawsuit from a trade association representing major tech companies such as Google, Meta, Amazon, and Twitter.
“We are deeply concerned about further delay in implementing protections for children online. That is why, today, my office has appealed the Northern District of California’s decision blocking enforcement of the Age-Appropriate Design Code,” stated Bonta. He emphasized his commitment to enhancing social media safety for children, highlighting the importance of defending California's protective statutes.
Assemblymember Buffy Wicks expressed her disappointment at the court’s decision, saying, "Every parent knows that our children are exposed to too much harm online, and they are demanding that tech companies take more responsibility for their actions." She added her support for Bonta’s appeal, emphasizing the need for tech companies to prioritize child safety over profits.
The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, the first law of its kind, seeks to protect children in the online space. It requires businesses dealing with personal information to enforce protective measures for young users and restricts specific practices involving information collection.
The legislation, spearheaded by Assemblymembers Buffy Wicks and Jordan Cunningham, was signed into law on September 15, 2022, by Governor Gavin Newsom. The law received unanimous support from the Legislature, which recognized the need for a safer environment for children online. Despite this, businesses are accused of designing services that exploit children, using manipulative techniques to extend their online engagement and collection of unnecessary personal data.
The notice of appeal has been issued in response to these ongoing concerns.