Utah Governor Signs Bill Creating Tax on Targeted Ad Revenue

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed a bill (SB 287) Wednesday to impose a new tax on targeted advertising, after enacting a another new tax on pornographic websites and a law to ensure all streaming services are paying the state’s sales tax.

The three bills, passed near the end of the state’s legislative session, mark the latest round of attempts by the Republican-led state to regulate social media apps and online content, which it considers damaging to young people’s mental health. The state has previously enhanced parental controls and mandated that app stores verify user ages.

The ...