Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association is testifying today before the Michigan House Regulatory Reform Committee in opposition to House Bill 4388, the “Social Media Regulation Act.” CCIA warns that while the bill seeks to protect children online, its broad and vague requirements risk violating constitutional protections, burdening lawful speech, and compromising user privacy.
HB 4388 would require social media platforms to verify users’ ages and obtain parental consent for minors, among other mandates. CCIA notes that similar laws have been struck down by multiple federal courts for violating the First Amendment, as they restrict lawful speech and limit minors’ access to educational and supportive online resources.
The association also highlights that age verification technologies are unreliable and pose significant privacy risks, particularly when they require the collection of sensitive personal data like facial images or government identification. These compliance burdens could disproportionately harm small businesses and deter user participation.
The following statement can be attributed to Megan Stokes, State Policy Director for CCIA:
“We share Michigan lawmakers’ commitment to keeping children safe online, and we believe that goal is best achieved through approaches that respect constitutional rights and protect user privacy. Federal courts have consistently found that laws mandating age verification and parental consent violate the First Amendment. These measures risk reducing access to lawful information, introducing privacy threats, and limiting teens’ ability to engage in supportive communities online. Lawmakers should instead focus on proven strategies like digital citizenship education and parental control tools that empower families without infringing on constitutional rights.”
