Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association is testifying today before the Virginia Senate Committee on General Laws and Technology to oppose SB 201, SB 232, SB 237, and SB 796, warning that these bills raise serious constitutional, privacy, and implementation concerns.
These proposed bills contain many requirements that undermine privacy for all users. While CCIA shares the goal of increasing online safety, restricting any users, regardless of age, from accessing information, violates the First Amendment. Age verification mandates inherently require the collection of sensitive data from both minors and adults, running counter to the data minimization principles that underpin federal and international privacy best practices.
The following statement can be attributed to Tom Mann, State Policy Manager for CCIA:
“These bills raise First Amendment and privacy concerns and SB 201 would restrict lawful speech in ways courts have repeatedly rejected. SB 232 SB would significantly undermine user privacy. Its age verification and parental consent requirements force companies to collect sensitive personal information at a time when responsible companies are trying to minimize this.”
