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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1309

Legislative bill overview

HB 1309 would restrict how companies can collect, use, and sell personal data from individuals under 16 years old online. The bill establishes data protection requirements specifically for minors, limiting targeted advertising, data sales, and algorithmic profiling without parental consent or explicit opt-in mechanisms.

Why is this important

Children and teenagers generate massive amounts of data through social media, apps, and online activity, which companies monetize through targeted advertising and behavioral profiling. This bill addresses growing concerns about digital privacy, psychological manipulation of minors, and data security in an age where young people have limited ability to understand data collection practices or their consequences.

Potential points of contention

  • Business compliance costs: Tech companies may argue implementation costs are substantial, potentially affecting smaller platforms disproportionately or limiting free services available to minors
  • Parental consent mechanisms: Questions about how parental verification actually works online, potential friction for legitimate teen users, and definitions of what requires parental permission versus minor self-determination
  • Federal preemption: Uncertainty whether state-level restrictions conflict with or duplicate federal frameworks (like COPPA), creating compliance complexity across state lines
  • Age verification: Technical challenges and privacy concerns in verifying age without collecting additional personal data
  • First Amendment considerations: Potential conflicts between data restrictions and platforms' speech/business expression rights

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

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