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AB 656

Relating to: the age for marriage and eliminating spousal exceptions for certain sex crimes against children.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Clint Anderson and 24 co-sponsors

Large social media platforms must provide a clearly visible Delete Account option and process deletion of the user’s personal information, with easy verification, treating it as a

Representative Stubbs added as a coauthor
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Bill Summary · AB 656

AB 656 — Social media account deletion (Schiavo) — Summary

Note: Although an alternate bill title was provided with the request, the official bill text and committee records for AB 656 (introduced Feb 13, 2025) address social media account deletion and consumer privacy. The summary below reflects the enacted AB 656 account‑cancellation provisions.

Purpose / Intent

AB 656 requires large social media platforms to make account deletion straightforward and to treat an account‑deletion request as a request to delete personal information under California privacy law. The Legislature cites research on adolescent vulnerability to addictive use of social media, links between excessive social media use and suicide‑related outcomes, and studies documenting confusing or obstructive account deletion interfaces and “dark patterns.”

Key provisions

  • Adds Title 25 (commencing with Civil Code §3273.90) to the Civil Code.
  • Definitions (§3273.90):
    • “Clearly and conspicuously” per B&P Code §17601.
    • “Dark pattern” per Cal. Civ. Code §1798.140(l).
    • “Personal information” per §1798.140(v).
    • “Social media platform” means the statutory definition in B&P Code §22675 and only applies to platforms with more than $100,000,000 in annual gross revenues.
  • User interface requirement (§3273.91):
    • Platforms subject to the law must provide a clearly visible, immediately accessible “Delete Account” button in the settings menu (app, browser, or other access format).
    • Clicking the button must present the steps necessary to complete account deletion, including deletion of the user’s personal information.
    • Any verification required to complete deletion must be cost‑effective and easy to use (e.g., preestablished 2‑factor authentication, email, SMS, telephone call, or message).
    • Platforms are prohibited from obstructing or interfering with account deletion, including via dark patterns.
    • A deletion request under this section constitutes a CCPA deletion request (Cal. Civ. Code §1798.105) and must be processed consistent with the California Consumer Privacy Act (Title 1.81.5).
    • Simply logging back into an account does not by itself revoke a pending deletion request.
  • Miscellaneous:
    • Severability clause; waivers of the act are void as contrary to public policy.

Who is affected

  • Covered social media platforms: companies that meet the statutory platform definition and have > $100 million annual gross revenue.
  • Users/consumers of those platforms — including minors and adolescents — who seek to delete accounts.
  • Businesses subject to the CCPA/CPRA must treat deletion requests under this law as CCPA deletion requests.

Enforcement, fiscal effects, and other considerations

  • The bill text does not specify a new private right of action or administrative enforcement mechanism or penalties; enforcement would rely on existing CCPA/CPRA remedies where applicable (the bill expressly ties deletion requests to CCPA deletion procedures).
  • No appropriation or fiscal committee referral noted.
  • Implementation could require UI/UX and backend changes by covered platforms and updates to privacy operational procedures.

Procedural timeline / status (selected)

  • Introduced: Feb 13, 2025.
  • Committee hearings and amendments: spring–summer 2025 (Assembly Privacy & Consumer Protection; Senate Judiciary).
  • Passed Assembly and Senate (unanimous recorded floor votes in May–September 2025).
  • Enrolled and presented to Governor: Sep 22, 2025.
  • Approved by Governor and chaptered: Oct 8, 2025 (Chapter 464, Statutes of 2025).

If you want, I can extract the exact statutory text placement (full §3273.90–3273.91) for inclusion in a bill memo or draft talking points.

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

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