What is the SCOPE Act? New law expected to take effect Sunday aims to add extra layer of protection to kids online
www.click2houston.com
The new SCOPE Act takes effect this Sunday, adding protections for kids online through age verification and stricter marketplace regulations but one non-profit is challenging it. Will a judge block it? #OnlineSafety #ConsumerProtection #SCOPEAct

“The SCOPE Act takes effect this Sunday, Sept. 1, and will require everyone to verify their age for social media.”

So how does this work with Lemmy? Is anyone in Texas just banned, is there some sort of third party ID service lined up…for every instance, lol.

But seriously, how does Lemmy (or the fediverse as a whole) comply? Is there some way it just doesn’t need to?

  • sorghum@sh.itjust.works
    0·
    3 months ago

    If you don’t operate in Texas, do you have you comply? Is the easy fix is don’t have your servers be in Texas?

    • FarFarAway@lemmy.worldOP
      0·
      3 months ago

      Someone can correct me if im wrong, but, pretty sure its any social media. Similar to what happened with pornhub.

      According to the Texas Office of the Attorney General, this new law will primarily “apply to digital services that provide an online platform for social interaction between users that: (1) allow users to create a public or semi-public profile to use the service, and (2) allow users to create or post content that can be viewed by other users of the service. This includes digital services such as message boards, chat rooms, video channels, or a main feed that presents users content created and posted by other users.”

      • sorghum@sh.itjust.works
        0·
        3 months ago

        I mean my question was addressing the scope of the jurisdiction Texas can have over a server in another state. It feels like the onus is on them (or the ISPs in Texas) to block that server

        • FarFarAway@lemmy.worldOP
          0·
          3 months ago

          Maybe someone is better equip to answer this question. As far as I understand, it is up to the social media company, as it is operating in the state. Sort of the way the corporate office of a national grocery store can be sued.

          https://www.texaspolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-05-BillAnalysis-HB18-Updated.pdf

          First, it prohibits digital service providers from entering into an agreement with a known minor unless they have verifiable parental consent.

          It seems its up to whomever is registering the account. If the person is under 18 they see a scrubbed version, of the person is over 18 they have full access. I’m not sure an ISP has control like that. I could be wrong.

          I know with pornhub, the ISP didn’t block the site, [pornhub itself did.](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/pornhub-disables-website-texas-rcna143502]

          • MotoAsh@lemmy.world
            0·
            3 months ago

            “Operating in the state” and “accessible in the state” are different.

            Much like a business doesn’t have to have a specific state’s business license to sell to customers of a different state, a website does not have to comply with all laws everywhere just because the laws exist. If they’re operating in Texas, they will. If they’re accessible from Texas, that’s Texas’ problem.