{
  "id": 4744790,
  "title": "EFF to Governor Newsom: Veto California’s AB 1709",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/eff-to-governor-newsom-veto-californias-ab-1709",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-31T23:37:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "EFF Deeplinks",
    "slug": "eff-deeplinks",
    "url": "https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/08/eff-gov-newsom-veto-californias-ab-1709"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "California's Assembly Bill 1709, which imposes a ban on social media use for young people under 16, was recently passed by the state legislature. However, The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) believes the measure is deeply flawed and has urged Governor Gavin Newsom to veto it. The legislation would prevent platforms from utilizing recommendation algorithms and other basic features from showing content to users under 16. These features are essential for users to discover new content, connect with others, and express themselves online. By targeting these core functions, A.B. 1709 would effectively exclude young people from many digital services, despite the bill's well-intentioned aim to protect vulnerable youth. Research shows that social media bans are ineffective and can even be harmful, as they deny young people the chance to develop their own voices and perspectives. The bill will likely force platforms to collect even more personal information through invasive age-verification methods, raising serious privacy concerns. The measure also creates legal confusion by clashing with other existing legislation. Instead of providing regulatory clarity, A.B. 1709 will likely generate more legal disputes and put additional burdens on tech companies.",
  "summary": "The California legislature passed Assembly Bill 1709 (A.B. 1709) today, which functions as a sweeping ban on social media use for young people under the age of 16. This well-intentioned, but deeply flawed piece of legislation, cuts young people off from essential information and experiences, particularly harming vulnerable youth and marginalized groups who often find safety in supportive online…",
  "key_points": [
    "EFF urges Governor Newsom to veto California's AB 1709.",
    "Bill bans social media for users under 16, limiting core features.",
    "Research shows bans ineffective, potentially harmful to youth."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}