Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) has requested Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to veto the state's social media bill, which aims to enforce age verification for online users. In a letter sent on Tuesday, CCIA expressed concerns about the bill's effectiveness and its potential violation of Constitutional rights.

CCIA, a longstanding advocate for information access and telecommunications law, highlighted the implications of the proposed legislation. CCIA State Policy Director Khara Boender emphasized the organization's stance, stating, "While we support stronger protections for younger users online, this law could create substantial obstacles for young people seeking access to online information, a right afforded to all Americans regardless of age."

Boender further elaborated on the issues with the bill, pointing out that while parents already have tools to manage their children's online experiences and some states have implemented digital literacy programs, the additional requirements of the bill could lead to increased data collection by companies. This goes against the current trend of reducing data collection and enhancing privacy measures.

The CCIA's plea to Governor Kemp reflects their commitment to ensuring that online regulations strike a balance between protection and accessibility for users of all ages.