Lindsey Tonsager, Jenna Zhang, and Irene Kim of Covington and Burling summarize some recent bills signed into law. From their article: Companion Chatbots. Adam’s Law (SB 1119) requires operators of a “companion chatbot” to determine the age of users consistent with the Digital Age Assurance Act and imposes a series of obligations before making a...

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Diana Novak Jones reports: Meta Platforms agreed to pay a maximum $16.68 billion and make major changes to Facebook and Instagram to resolve claims by states across the U.S. that the company designed those platforms to addict children, misled consumers about their safety and improperly collected children’s personal data. The settlement resolves claims brought by 29...

August 21 – Today, the Department of Justice announced a $400 million settlement with TikTok, ByteDance, and affiliated entities (TikTok) resolving litigation concerning compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act and its implementing regulations (COPPA). Under the settlement, TikTok will pay $300 million immediately and an additional $100 million upon entry of an order...

Jadzia Pierce and Virginie de France of Covington and Burling write: On August 14, 2026, the French Constitutional Council (the “Constitutional Council”) struck down Article 1 of France’s Act to protect minors from the risks posed by the use of social media (the “Act”), which would have barred minors under the age of fifteen from...

David Stauss writes: On August 11, 2026, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill signed the New Jersey Kids Code Act (A 4015), which adopts the New Jersey Age-Appropriate Design Code, into law. The privacy advocacy group Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) previously applauded the law’s passage, which it described as protecting “kids online by prohibiting invasive data practices,...

Alexander Martin reports: A 20-year-old man was sentenced Monday to two years in prison for coercing more than 100 girls worldwide into sexual and self-harm activity using platforms such as Snapchat, Telegram and Discord, British authorities said. Justin Swaddle, of Leeds in northern England, targeted 117 female victims aged 13 to 17, according to the...

Lindsey Tonsager, Jenna Zhang, and Irene Kim of Covington and Burling write: On July 28, 2026, the New York Office of the Attorney General released final rules (the “Rules”) implementing the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) for Kids Act, which goes into effect on January 25, 2027. The SAFE for Kids Act requires online “addictive social media...

Lindsey Tonsager, Jenna Zhang, and Natalie Maas of Covington and Burling write: Consistent with recent years, 2026 has proved to be a busy year for children and teens’ privacy legislation. This post recaps notable developments and trends thus far in 2026. Our mid-year and end-of-year recaps for 2025 can be found here and here. App Marketplace Laws Two...

Jackson Healy reports: The Trump administration has ended its push to force the University of Pennsylvania to release a list of the names and personal contact information of Jewish people on campus, according to court documents filed Thursday. While tied to an ongoing federal inquiry into on-campus antisemitism accusations, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s now-dropped subpoena against...

Julia Conley writes: Opponents of a bill that is purported to protect children online said Monday night, after the legislation passed in the US House, that laws are “urgently” needed to stop Big Tech companies from preying on kids’ vulnerabilities. “The KIDS Act is not that piece of legislation,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), who was one of 117 lawmakers who voted against the Kids Internet...

Jessca S. Kang, Catherine C. Smith, and Derek A. McKee of K&L Gates LLP write: Washington state has significantly expanded its Fair Chance Act through legislation enacted during the 2025 legislative session (EHB 1747), which is now codified at RCW 49.94 (Amended Fair Chance Act). Signed by Governor Bob Ferguson, the Amended Fair Chance Act imposes substantially...

Paige Collings and Jillian C. York write: This week, politicians in the UK pushed forward with plans to eviscerate privacy and free speech on the internet by announcing a ban on social media for users under 16 that is set to take effect in Spring 2027. The UK government continues to falsely characterize this policy as a necessary response...

Dutch News reports: Around two-thirds of Dutch parents use an app or device to track where their children are, according to a survey by broadcaster RTL Nieuws – a habit that child development experts warn can give a false sense of security. In the survey of RTL’s viewer panel, 65% of parents with children aged...

Margaret Attridge reports: The Nevada Supreme Court granted a victory to reproductive health advocates and abortion providers Thursday, blocking enforcement of a 1985 state law restricting abortion for minors. Reversing a lower court’s denial of a preliminary injunction, an en banc panel of justices ruled Nevada Senate Bill 510 — passed in 1985, never enforced and...

FBI Milwaukee Public Affairs Officer Caroline Clancy (414) 489-3644 April 22, 2026 Dear Parents and Guardians, Over the course of the last few years, the FBI has observed a concerning increase in activity by online actors involved in predatory activity. These predators target children across the United States, including in Wisconsin. “764” is often used...

Joe Cadillic sent along this news story by Marianna Bacallao: College students who participate in walkouts could be suspended or expelled under a new measure passed by the Tennessee General Assembly on Monday. The Charlie Kirk Act, named for the late conservative activist, addresses free speech on college campuses. HB 1476/ SB 1741 would require colleges and...