Committee advances bill to make it easier to delete social media accounts and data

Assemblymember Schiavo presented Assembly Bill 656, a measure that would make it simpler for users to delete social media accounts and require platforms to delete associated personal information when requested.

Why it matters: Supporters characterized the bill as consumer-protection legislation that breaks ‘‘dark patterns’’ companies use to keep users on platforms and to make deletion difficult. The committee adopted amendments that narrowed the user-interface requirement so platforms must provide a clear delete option (for example, a prominently placed button in settings) rather than persistent messages on every screen.

The author described evidence that social media use takes a toll on youth mental health and cited research that as many as one in five users could not find a delete option or gave up because the process was too tedious. Robert Hurrell, executive director of the Consumer Federation of California and the bill’s sponsor, said the measure would make deleting an account “much simpler and easier for consumers to do.” Becca Kramermauder (Kaiser Advocacy/California Low Income Consumers Coalition) also spoke in support.

Opposition testimony was limited and collaborative. Robert Boykin of TechNet said he opposed current language but was working with the author toward a workable solution; he urged more clarity about how the bill would treat edge cases. Committee members raised concerns about accidental deletions and the implications for intermittent users, and Assemblymember Ward asked about safeguards for people who might unintentionally delete accounts. The author said committee amendments addressed some of those concerns by moving the requirement from messages on every screen to a prominent button within settings.

Committee members also asked about interactions with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). The author and counsel said the amended language is intended to make the right to delete personal information consistent with the CCPA’s timelines and that the bill excludes ‘‘personal information’’ from the delete-right where appropriate to align with existing law. The author said she will continue to work with staff and stakeholders to harmonize timelines and technical details.

Action: The committee voted to pass AB 656 as amended; the roll call recorded during the hearing showed the motion carried (recorded tally shown as 9 yes, 0 no at the roll call). The author accepted committee amendments and said she would continue working with stakeholders.

Ending: AB 656 was advanced by the committee with amendments intended to make the delete option discoverable while aligning deletion of personal information with CCPA procedures. The author said the bill seeks to make it straightforward for users to exit platforms and remove data that companies have monetized.