Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed an appeal against a recent decision by the Northern District of California that blocked the enforcement of the Age-Appropriate Design Code Act. The appeal comes after a lawsuit was filed by an online trade association representing major companies, such as Google, Meta, Amazon, and Twitter.

“We are deeply concerned about further delay in implementing protections for children online. That is why, today, my office has appealed the Northern District of California’s decision blocking enforcement of the Age-Appropriate Design Code," stated Attorney General Bonta. He emphasized his commitment to improving online safety for children through the enforcement of California's statutes.

Assemblymember Buffy Wicks voiced her support for the appeal. "Every parent knows that our children are exposed to too much harm online, and they are demanding that tech companies take more responsibility for their actions," Wicks said. She called the court's ruling "a gut punch to families across California" and praised Bonta's decision to challenge it, underscoring the importance of prioritizing children's safety.

The California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act is a pioneering law designed to protect children online. It mandates that businesses trading in consumer data, and offering services likely accessed by children, should proactively protect their users’ information, and it restricts certain actions involving data collection and usage.

The Act was authored by Assemblymembers Buffy Wicks and Jordan Cunningham and was signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 15, 2022. The California Legislature unanimously passed it, highlighting a collective recognition that current online environments need to be safer for children. As stated in the legislation, despite companies' awareness, harmful features continue to be included in online services, which can lead children to share excessive personal information or remain engaged online for extended periods.

Further procedural information, including the notice of appeal, is available for public review.