Newsom Signs New Law Opening Platforms to CSAM Liability

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed legislation into law that makes social media companies liable for “knowingly facilitating, aiding, or abetting commercial sexual exploitation,” his office announced Sunday. Introduced by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D), AB 1394 allows courts to award damages between $1 million and $4 million for each infraction in which a company facilitates, aids or abets exploitation. The law, which takes effect in January 2025, requires platforms to provide a way for users to report child sexual abuse material. Platforms must respond to a report within 36 hours. The new law “sends a resounding message to other states and tech platforms that using the internet to exploit children will no longer go unchecked,” Wicks said in a statement.