The State Social Media Sovereignty Act ensures digital sovereignty, user privacy, and platform accountability by regulating foreign-controlled social media platforms, enhancing transparency in content moderation, and preventing data exploitation. This law protects residents from foreign influence, corporate overreach, and government-directed censorship.

Key Provisions

• Regulating Foreign-Owned Social Media Platforms. Mandatory state registration for platforms with more than 10% foreign ownership. Annual disclosure of foreign investors, government ties, and data-sharing agreements. Strict enforcement against foreign government influence on content moderation.

  Protecting User Data & Digital Privacy. Prohibits the sale or transfer of resident data to foreign-controlled entities. Requires all social media platforms operating in the state to store user data on U.S. servers. Gives users the right to access, delete, and opt out of algorithmic tracking and behavioral profiling.

  Content Moderation Transparency & Free Speech Protections. Mandates full disclosure of content moderation policies, shadow banning, and account suspensions. Prevents social media companies from engaging in government-directed censorship without due process. Requires fact-checking entities to disclose funding sources and allow user appeals on flagged content.

  Combatting Foreign Disinformation & Election Manipulation. Holds platforms accountable for failing to mitigate foreign election interference and misinformation. Fines companies up to $20 million for allowing foreign disinformation campaigns targeting state residents.

  Creating Public Digital Alternatives & Emergency Protections. Explores development of a publicly owned, ad-free, privacy-first social media platform. Ensures state-controlled emergency communication channels remain accessible, preventing corporate throttling during crises.

  Enforcement & Penalties. Establishes a State Digital Oversight Commission to investigate compliance. Fines up to $50 million for repeated violations by social media companies. Allows residents to file lawsuits against platforms violating their digital rights.

Model Language

Section 1. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the “State Social Media Sovereignty Act.”

Section 2. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to:

• Assert state control over digital platforms operating within its jurisdiction to protect residents from foreign and corporate exploitation.

• Prevent foreign-owned and federally subsidized platforms from manipulating public discourse and interfering in democratic processes.

• Mandate data privacy protections to ensure user data remains within U.S. jurisdiction and is not exploited by foreign entities.

Enforce transparency in content moderation, algorithmic bias, and misinformation prevention.

Section 3. Definitions. For purposes of this Act:

• “Social Media Platform” refers to any website, app, or digital service allowing users to create, share, or interact with content generated by other users.

• “Foreign-Controlled Platform” refers to any social media service with more than 10% foreign ownership, directly or indirectly.

• “Data Sovereignty” refers to the requirement that user data collected within the state be stored on U.S.-based servers and subject to state privacy laws.

• “Algorithmic Transparency” refers to the requirement that social media companies disclose the logic behind automated content curation, ranking, and moderation.

• “Government-Censored Speech” refers to any content moderation influenced by a foreign government or federal agency without due process.

Section 4. Foreign-Owned Social Media Regulations

(a) Registration & Compliance. Any social media platform with foreign ownership exceeding 10% must register with the State Digital Oversight Commission before operating in the state. Platforms must disclose all foreign investors, business affiliations, and data-sharing agreements with non-U.S. entities.

(b) State Jurisdiction & Data Storage Requirements. Foreign-controlled social media companies must store all resident data on U.S. soil and comply with state data sovereignty regulations. Platforms must provide an annual report detailing:

1. Data handling and transfer practices

2. Algorithmic changes affecting user engagement

3. Foreign influence over platform operations

(c) Restrictions on Foreign Government Influence

• No foreign government or affiliated entity may directly or indirectly moderate, censor, or influence speech on a social media platform operating in the state.

• Violations will result in fines up to $5 million per incident and potential state-level operating license revocation.

Section 5. User Data Privacy & Digital Sovereignty

(a) Prohibition on Foreign Data Transfers. Social media platforms may not sell, transfer, or share user data with foreign-owned entities without explicit user consent and state oversight. Data collected within the state must remain within the U.S. unless an international data transfer meets state-approved privacy protections.

(b) User Data Rights. Users shall have the right to:

1. Access and delete personal data collected by social media companies.

2. Opt out of algorithmic tracking and behavioral profiling.

3. Be notified of any data breaches or unauthorized data sharing.

(c) Penalties for Data Violations

• Companies violating user data sovereignty provisions may face:

• Fines of up to $10 million per breach.

• Mandatory audits and state-imposed data protection reforms.

Section 6. Content Moderation and Algorithmic Transparency

(a) Disclosure of Content Moderation Policies. Social media platforms must publicly disclose their content moderation policies, including:

1. How content is ranked, promoted, or suppressed.

2. Criteria for shadow banning, demonetization, and account suspensions.

3. Any involvement of government agencies in content removal.

(b) Algorithmic Transparency. Platforms utilizing AI-driven content recommendations must:

1. Allow users to opt out of algorithmic curation.

2. Provide a user-accessible explanation of how algorithms influence engagement.

3. Disclose AI moderation practices and automated enforcement systems.

(c) Prohibition on Undue Government Influence Over Content Moderation. No state or federal agency may request content removal from social media platforms without due process under existing legal frameworks. Social media companies found coordinating with foreign or federal agencies to suppress lawful speech without court authorization will be fined up to $15 million per violation.

Section 7. Protections Against Misinformation & Disinformation

(a) Countering Foreign Disinformation. Any platform found promoting, amplifying, or failing to act against foreign disinformation campaigns targeting state residents may be subject to:

• Fines of up to $20 million per incident.

• State-imposed corrective action measures.

(b) Fact-Checking Transparency. If a social media company applies fact-check labels or suppresses content, they must:

• Disclose the fact-checking entity and its funding sources.

• Allow users to appeal misinformation flags through an independent review process.

Section 8. Social Media Accessibility & Public Opinion

(a) Creation of a Public Social Media Platform. The state shall explore the development of a publicly owned, non-profit social media alternative to provide:

• Ad-free, privacy-first communication tools.

• Government transparency updates and emergency alerts.

(b) State-Controlled Digital Communications in Emergencies. The state shall maintain emergency digital infrastructure to prevent corporate throttling or de-platforming of essential public communications during crises.

Section 9. Enforcement & Penalties

(a) State Digital Oversight Commission. The State Digital Oversight Commission is established to oversee compliance with this Act and conduct investigations into social media sovereignty violations.

(b) Penalties for Non-Compliance. Social media companies failing to comply with this Act may face:

• Fines of up to $50 million for repeated violations.

• Statewide access restrictions or operating license revocation.

• Civil lawsuits from affected residents.

(c) User Right to Sue. Residents whose digital rights are violated may file lawsuits under this Act, with courts awarding damages, injunctions, and legal fees.

Section 10. Effective Date & Sunset Review. This Act shall take effect immediately upon passage. A five-year review will assess its effectiveness and recommend necessary amendments.Section 1. Short Title: This Act may be cited as the “Age Verification Certification and Compliance Act.”

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