Kids Code Bill in Maryland signed by Moore as advocates praise heightened protections for kids online

MARYLAND- Governor Wes Moore Thursday signing the Kids Code Act bill into law, enshrining protections for users under age 18 in the state.

The bill would mandate certain websites and apps default to the highest level of privacy available for accounts for kids under age 16, as well as banning the sale of that data to third parties.

Lawmakers behind the push for the legislation say it has been open season on kids online, from features designed to encourage teens to stay engaged with apps, to the lax restrictions on accounts owned by teens and who can interact with them, saying that now will come to an end. 

“The problem is, again, the presumption that they’re going to be safe. And we would not let these strangers access them. We would not let these strangers tell them about, their bodies how they should look how they should dress, and how they should feel. And, however, we realize now that that’s being done unfettered,” said Rep. C.T. Wilson, one of the bill’s sponsors.

They say similar laws in other nations have seen the apps already take action, like banning the direct messaging between adults and kids on TikTok and Instagram.