Social media companies face new bill to further protect personal data

(FOX40.COM) — A new bill was signed into state law to protect users’ personal data on their Social Media accounts after they’re deleted to take control of their personal data.

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Bill 656, authored by Assemblymember Pilar Schiavo, requires social media companies to make deleting a social media account clear for users. Gov. Gavin Newsom said the bill strives to ensure that users’ personal information is completely deleted by providing easier access to canceling the account as a whole.

“Social media users deserve to have the confidence that they can easily delete their account and when they do that their personal information is deleted too,” Schiavo said. “I’m grateful that with the signing of AB 656, California is putting consumers first.”

During San Francisco’s Tech Week, Newsom added additional laws to the bill to strengthen the state’s landmark privacy protections. According to the governor, these added legislatures ensure that consumers have transparent ways to control their own personal data.

Newsom said this new legislator is just an addition to prior state bills, also set in place to protect consumers and privacy from social media and streaming platforms.

“With these bills, social media users can be assured that when they delete their accounts, they do not leave their data behind,” Newsom said.