Privacy Law Library

Covered platform age restriction: no addictive features for users under 16 (AB 1709)

AB 1709

Children

Signed September 10, 2026, AB 1709 bars covered platforms from offering addictive features (addictive feeds, autoplay, and others the Attorney General defines) to users under 16. Platforms must verify age through the Digital Age Assurance Act before offering those features and must delete accounts and data of under-16 users unless the account is kept free of addictive features. It also creates an e-Safety Advisory Commission.

Where
California
Citation
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 22682-22686 (added by Stats. 2026, Ch. 183); Cal. Gov. Code 11530 et seq.
Status
Enacted, not yet in force
In force since
2027-01-01
Enforced by
California Attorney General and local public prosecutors
People can sue
No
Penalties
Civil penalty up to $50,000 per affected minor for a knowing violation and up to $25,000 per affected minor for a negligent violation (22686(b)).
Applies to
  • Covered platforms: websites, online services, and apps (including social media) that offer an addictive feature such as an addictive feed or autoplay as a significant part of the service; excludes commerce/review-only services and cloud storage feeds (22682(c))

Practices it requires

  • Do not provide any addictive feature to a user under 16; implement reasonable measures to ensure under-16 users are not offered one.Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 22683 · From 2027-01-01
  • Verify a user's age through the Digital Age Assurance Act before providing an addictive feature, falling back to the SB 976 age determination if verification fails.Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 22684(a) · From 2027-01-01
  • Delete the account and associated personal information of users under 16, unless the platform lets them keep an account without addictive features.Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code 22684(b) · From 2027-01-01

Sources

Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.

Unverified: Effective date assumed January 1, 2027 (no operative date in text); some duties may depend on AG regulations and on the Digital Age Assurance Act's January 1, 2027 start. | Litigation challenging AB 1709 not searched.

Research reference, not legal advice.