CA SB771

Social media platforms generating over $100 million in annual gross revenue can be held liable for civil rights violations committed through their content-recommendation algorithms under California Civil Code Sections 51.7, 51.9, 52, or 52.1

Civil penalties of up to $1 million for intentional, knowing, or willful violations and up to $500,000 for reckless violations; penalties can double if the platform knew or should have known the victim was a minor

Deploying an algorithm that relays content to users is considered an independent act of the platform, and platforms are deemed to have actual knowledge of how their algorithms operate and deliver content

Platforms can be held liable if they aid, abet, act in concert, conspire, or are joint tortfeasors in violations of civil rights laws prohibiting violence, intimidation, or coercion based on protected characteristics

The law becomes operative on January 1, 2027, and any waiver of its provisions is void and unenforceable