FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Press@KidsCodeCoalition.org

Advocates Urge NetChoice Member Companies to Stop Opposing Landmark Kids’ Online Safety Law

ANNAPOLIS – Maryland Kids Code Coalition spokesperson Marisa Shea released the following statement after the Washington Post reported that Meta is backing down from threats to sue to stop the law from going into effect:

“While this is a positive step forward, Meta bears significant responsibility for the crisis we find ourselves in today and clearly needs to do much more to hold itself accountable for kids’ and teens’ safety and wellbeing on platforms including Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook. Calling for its trade group, NetChoice, which has brought a lawsuit against the Age Appropriate Design Code in California, to not halt progress on kids online safety with a similar suit is a step forward.

“We encourage Meta and other companies to influence the Big Tech membership trade groups they fund, especially NetChoice, to stop threatening lawsuits and start supporting the practical and necessary protections laid out in this law that includes common-sense protections their members have already shown they can comply with in other jurisdictions. Google, Snap, Amazon, and dozens of other members of NetChoice already complying with similar provisions to better protect kids in other jurisdictions should join Meta in calling NetChoice off of these misguided litigation efforts.

“It’s crucial for tech companies to align public endorsements of child safety measures with their private actions and financial contributions. We call on all Big Tech companies to reevaluate their positions on the Kids Code and support consistent and united efforts to safeguard our children online. We also urge all stakeholders, including tech companies and trade associations, to openly support and comply with constitutionally sound safety- and privacy-by-design measures that are fundamentally about protecting and empowering our youngest generation.”

Background

Big Tech’s lawsuit threat

• Sponsors of ‘Kids Code’ bill confident it will withstand court challenge (5/9/24)
• NetChoice urges Governor Moore to veto the Kids Code (4/8/24)

Advocates’ pushback

• Maryland Lawmakers Call on Big Tech Companies to Cooperate with Maryland Kids Code (5/22/24)
• Kids’ Organizations & Advocates Urge Governor Moore to Stand Up to Big Tech Lobby (4/10/24)

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