In one paragraph
Massachusetts's S.51 (194th General Court) would create an Office of Social Media Transparency and Accountability under the Attorney General. Covered platforms (processing personal information of 100,000+ Massachusetts consumers, or 25,000+ with over 25% of gross revenue from selling personal data) would register annually, file transparency reports and pay for monthly third-party algorithm risk audits focused on harms to children. Penalties of up to $500,000 per violation. Reported favorably by the Advanced Information Technology, the Internet and Cybersecurity Committee October 16, 2025 and sent to Senate Ways and Means; not passed.
Plain-English summary, written with AI assistance. The official text controls.
What it means for business
None yet: the bill has not been enacted. If enacted, social media and other online platforms above its personal-data thresholds would have to register, report, and pay for algorithm risk audits focused on harms to children.
Key provisions
- Would add G.L. c. 12, section 36: an office of social media transparency and accountability supervised by the Attorney General, which may adopt regulations
- Covered platforms would have to register annually before January 1 with name, address, email, internet address and a fee set by the Attorney General
- Independent third-party auditors approved by the office would conduct algorithm risk audits of covered platforms monthly unless the office specifies otherwise, paid for by the platforms, focused on harms to children
- Beginning January 1, 2026, covered platforms would have to submit annual transparency reports (child users by age band, time spent, design features, complaints); preliminary harm reports due by January 1, 2027
- Violations (failure to register, material omission or misrepresentation in a report, or late report) would bring an injunction and a civil penalty of up to $500,000 per violation in an Attorney General action
- Status: reported favorably and referred to Senate Ways and Means on October 16, 2025; not passed by either chamber
Latest legislative action
Oct 16, 2025. Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
Sponsors (showing 5 of 16)
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Barry R. Finegold D | Primary |
| John C. Velis D | Primary |
| John F. Keenan D | Primary |
| Patricia D. Jehlen | Primary |
| Barbara A. L'Italien | Cosponsor |
Topics and industries
Related topics
Affected industries
This page is general information, not legal advice. Summaries are AI-assisted and may contain errors; read the statute for the controlling text and talk to a lawyer about your situation. Full disclaimer · Report an error