Gov. Youngkin Signs Social Media Bill Despite Censorship & Privacy Risks

Today, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin signed legislation limiting minors’ access to social media platforms, despite concerns that the bill jeopardizes the speech and privacy rights of all Commonwealth residents. Governor Youngkin approved the legislation after Virginia lawmakers rejected the Governor’s proposed amendments. 

Chamber of Progress testified in February that SB 854’s restrictions on content curation and its sweeping age verification mandate would threaten online privacy, limit access to age-appropriate content, and endanger at-risk youth. The law is almost certain to trigger a legal challenge over speech and privacy concerns, similar to the one that struck down similar social media laws in Utah, California, Arkansas, Texas, and Ohio.

“It’s disappointing that Virginia will now have to sink resources in defending a law that’s nakedly unconstitutional,” said Chamber of Progress Northeast Government Relations Director Brianna January. “Even worse, the state’s most vulnerable teens could now lose access to the online spaces where they find community, connection, and vital resources.”

Chamber of Progress has warned lawmakers in other states that age verification mandates pose disproportionate harm to vulnerable groups. In a recent blog post, Chamber of Progress Policy Manager Hope Ledford described how provisions of New York’s age verification law could be exploited by immigration officials to enable President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda.