WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 978

Relating to: online services accessed by minors, minors’ personal data, and granting rule-making authority.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dianne Hesselbein and 4 co-sponsors

Wisconsin bill restricts online services' collection and use of minors' personal data, establishing privacy protections and state regulatory oversight of youth-targeted digital platforms.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 978

Legislative bill overview

SB 978 regulates online services accessed by minors by establishing protections for children's personal data and grants rulemaking authority to state agencies. The bill likely creates standards for how digital platforms must handle information collected from users under 18 years old. It appears designed to address privacy and safety concerns specific to minors' online activity.

Why is this important

Children's digital privacy has become a significant policy concern as social media platforms and apps collect extensive personal data from young users. This bill attempts to establish state-level guardrails when federal protections (like COPPA) may be considered insufficient. The outcomes could affect how major tech companies operate in Wisconsin and set precedent for other states.

Potential points of contention

  • Industry compliance costs: Tech companies argue that varying state regulations create operational burdens; compliance expenses may be passed to consumers or limit service availability in regulated states
  • Rulemaking authority scope: Unclear which agencies receive authority and how detailed their regulations can become; this delegation could create rules either too restrictive or too weak depending on agency interpretation
  • Definition of "personal data": Disagreement likely exists over what qualifies as regulated data—location, behavioral tracking, algorithmic profiling, and IP addresses may be treated differently, affecting enforcement
  • Age verification methods: Requiring proof of age online raises privacy concerns itself, as verification systems may collect additional sensitive information or exclude legitimate young users
  • Parental rights balance: Tension between protecting minors and respecting parental authority over children's internet use

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.