NC S497

Creates a civil right of action against social media websites with over 75 million subscribers for deleting, censoring, or using algorithms to disfavor users' political or religious speech.

Allows users to recover up to $75,000 in statutory damages, actual damages, punitive damages if aggravating factors exist, and attorneys' fees from social media websites that violate the law.

Prohibits social media websites from using alleged "hate speech" as a defense or justification for censoring political or religious speech.

Exempts removals of content involving violence, self-harm, obscene material, criminal conduct, trademark/copyright infringement, and false impersonation from the prohibition on censorship.

Grants the North Carolina Attorney General enforcement authority, and creates a private right of action for users 18 and older only if the Attorney General fails to prosecute within 60 days of receiving a complaint.