EFF to Governor Newsom: Veto California's AB 1709
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) is urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to veto AB 1709, a bill that would restrict social media access for users under 16. The EFF argues the bill is a flawed approach that threatens privacy, free speech, and access to supportive online communities.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the tension between child safety legislation and the preservation of digital rights and open internet access.
The California legislature passed Assembly Bill 1709 (A.B. 1709) today, which functions as a sweeping ban on social media use for young people under the age of 16. This well-intentioned, but deeply flawed piece of legislation, cuts young people off from essential information and experiences, particularly harming vulnerable youth and marginalized groups who often find safety in supportive online communities they can't access offline. That’s why we’re urging Governor Gavin Newsom to veto the measure .
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