New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A08963

Introduced
8/13/25  
Refer
8/13/25  

Caption

Establishes the NY digital choice act requiring social media companies to provide covered users with a copy of the covered user's social graph at the request of the covered user; defines terms; provides requirements for the interoperability of covered users' data; grants the attorney general the authority to promulgate rules and regulations and enforce such provisions.

Impact

This legislation represents a pivotal move towards enforcing stronger data rights in the state. By requiring interoperability between social media platforms, A08963 aims to prevent monopolistic behaviors from major tech companies while empowering users to have greater control over their data. The attorney general will be given rulemaking authority to enforce compliance, thus ensuring that the provisions of the bill are upheld. The bill effectively encourages a more competitive landscape in the digital realm, enabling smaller platforms to thrive while pushing larger entities to respect user privacy.

Summary

Bill A08963, known as the NY Digital Choice Act, proposes significant changes to the way social media companies handle user data. The bill mandates that platforms must provide users with access to their social graphs upon request, which includes their social connections, user-generated content, and interactions with others on the platform. Furthermore, it aims to enhance data portability, ensuring that users can transfer their social data seamlessly from one platform to another without compromising data quality or reliability. By establishing clear guidelines for data access and sharing, the bill seeks to bolster digital privacy rights for individuals in New York.

Contention

Despite its supportive motives, A08963 has faced criticism and raises concerns among social media companies regarding its implementation. Opponents argue that the bill could impose cumbersome requirements that may hinder operational efficiency, potentially leading to increased costs passed down to users. There is also a debate around the feasibility of implementing the interoperability standards outlined in the bill, as critics question whether all social media platforms can meet these new technical demands. Proponents maintain that these were necessary steps to protect consumer rights and improve digital transparency.

Companion Bills

NY S08850

Same As Establishes the NY digital choice act requiring social media companies to provide covered users with a copy of the covered user's social graph at the request of the covered user; defines terms; provides requirements for the interoperability of covered users' data; grants the attorney general the authority to promulgate rules and regulations and enforce such provisions.

Previously Filed As

NY S08850

Establishes the NY digital choice act requiring social media companies to provide covered users with a copy of the covered user's social graph at the request of the covered user; defines terms; provides requirements for the interoperability of covered users' data; grants the attorney general the authority to promulgate rules and regulations and enforce such provisions.

NY SB111

Require that social media companies provide collected personal data of a user at the user's request and maintain transparent interoperability interfaces.

NY A08022

Requires an operator of a covered platform with at least one million users to ensure that its covered platform provides a process to allow law enforcement agencies to contact such covered platform, which shall provide continuous availability of such process; provides that an operator of a covered platform with at least one million users shall comply with a search warrant within seventy-two hours of receipt under certain circumstances; provides that a court may extend the time for compliance with a search warrant under certain circumstances.

NY S08217

Requires an operator of a covered platform with at least one million users to ensure that its covered platform provides a process to allow law enforcement agencies to contact such covered platform, which shall provide continuous availability of such process; provides that an operator of a covered platform with at least one million users shall comply with a search warrant within seventy-two hours of receipt under certain circumstances; provides that a court may extend the time for compliance with a search warrant under certain circumstances.

NY S07476

Relates to social media open application programming; requires social media platforms to implement and maintain a standards-based application programming interface that permits third-party applications to retrieve data at no cost to be used for the user's benefit and to provide certain information to users; requires social media companies to submit a report to the attorney general.

NY S08102

Requires manufacturers of internet-enabled devices to conduct age assurance to determine a user's age category and provide all websites, online services, online applications and mobile applications on such user's internet-enabled device and/or application store manufactured by the covered manufacturer with a digital signal that such user is a covered minor as well as the age category of such covered minor via a real-time application programming interface (API).

NY A08944

Prohibits state and federal law enforcement acting within New York from covering their faces or otherwise concealing their identity, except in limited circumstances; grants the attorney general authority to enforce civil penalties.

NY A08016

Provides for securities fraud whistleblower incentives and protections; defines terms; grants whistleblower awards for one or more whistleblowers who voluntarily provide original information to the attorney general that was the basis for a successful covered enforcement action; protects whistleblowers from retaliation; authorizes the attorney general to adopt any necessary rules and regulations; makes related provisions.

NY S07494

Provides for securities fraud whistleblower incentives and protections; defines terms; grants whistleblower awards for one or more whistleblowers who voluntarily provide original information to the attorney general that was the basis for a successful covered enforcement action; protects whistleblowers from retaliation; authorizes the attorney general to adopt any necessary rules and regulations; makes related provisions.

NY H5078

Provides that licensed independent clinical social workers be able to enroll and bill Medicaid directly for covered services provided to adults with Medicaid fee-for-service coverage.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.