Social media account deletion (AB 656)
AB 656
Comprehensive privacy · Other
Requires large social media platforms to put a clearly labeled 'Delete Account' button in settings, walk users through deleting their account and personal information, and not obstruct deletion with dark patterns. The request counts as a CCPA deletion request.
- Where
- California
- Citation
- Cal. Civ. Code 3273.90-3273.91 (Title 25)
- Status
- In force
- In force since
- 2026-01-01
- Enforced by
- Not specified in the title (CCPA enforcement applies to the deletion request)
- People can sue
- No
- Penalties
- No separate penalty; the deletion request is processed under the CCPA and CCPA remedies apply.
- Applies to
- Social media platforms (as defined in Bus. & Prof. Code 22675) with more than $100 million in annual gross revenue
Rights it gives people
- When clicked, give the user the steps to delete the account and personal information; verification must be cost-effective and easy.Cal. Civ. Code 3273.91(b) · From 2026-01-01
Practices it requires
- Place a clear 'Delete Account' button in the settings menu on every access format.Cal. Civ. Code 3273.91(a) · From 2026-01-01
- Do not obstruct or interfere with account deletion, including through dark patterns; logging in again does not revoke the request.Cal. Civ. Code 3273.91(c), (e) · From 2026-01-01
- Treat the request as a CCPA request to delete personal information under 1798.105.Cal. Civ. Code 3273.91(d) · From 2026-01-01
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.
Unverified: Codified section text on leginfo not fetched; citations taken from the chaptered bill. | Effective date presumed Jan. 1, 2026 (2025 regular-session statute).
Research reference, not legal advice.