Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association will testify today before the Minnesota House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law Committee in opposition to HF 4138, legislation that would impose new requirements on online services related to youth safety and platform design.
CCIA supports policymakers’ efforts to improve online safety for young people. The association notes that technology companies have invested significantly in parental controls, privacy protections, and tools that help families tailor online experiences to a child’s developmental needs. However, the association will warn that HF 4138 could create unintended consequences that undermine those goals.
CCIA will highlight that the bill’s scope relies on unclear standards, including references to a platform’s “primary purpose” and undefined “addictive” features, which could make it difficult to determine how the law applies across different digital services. The association will also raise concerns that the legislation’s age estimation requirements could lead companies to collect more sensitive personal information from users, increasing privacy and cybersecurity risks.
In addition, CCIA will note that restrictions on personalized or algorithmically ranked features could weaken existing safety tools that help prioritize age-appropriate content and limit risky interactions online.
The following statement can be attributed to Megan Stokes, State Policy Director at CCIA, who will testify before the committee today:
“Improving online safety for young people is an important goal, but policies should not come at the expense of privacy or effective safety tools. HF 4138 could push companies toward more intrusive age estimation practices while limiting features that help services identify harmful content and protect teens. Lawmakers should focus on comprehensive approaches that empower families, support digital literacy, and provide clear, workable standards.”
