California Online Safeguards for Kids Headed to Governor (1)

Online platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube would have to boost their privacy and safety protections for children and teens under a California bill close to becoming a first-of-its-kind law that proposes fines for companies that don’t comply.

The state Assembly approved a Senate-passed version of the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act on Tuesday, sending the bill to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

If Newsom signs the bipartisan bill (AB-2273) into law, online services that violate its provisions could face fines as high as $7,500 per affected child. It’s expected to impact social media platforms, as well as ...