Illinois passes law to protect children's data and online safety

Illinois is advancing new legislation designed to bolster the digital protection of children and adolescents. The Children's Online Social Media Safety Act has been approved by the state's General Assembly and has the backing of Governor JB Pritzker, who has indicated his intention to sign it into law.

Governor JB Pritzker stated that the bill's passage marks a significant step in the state's strategy to improve youth digital safety and strengthen privacy protections. He asserted that major technology companies have not fully accepted their responsibility for child safety, prompting Illinois to intervene and demand greater guarantees.

"Parents and families should have full confidence that the same protections are in place to keep their children safe online," Pritzker said. He added that the law's approval is a milestone in efforts to enhance minors' internet safety and privacy, mitigate the adverse effects of social media on physical and mental health, and prevent various financial scams.

The law will formally take effect on January 1, 2027, though some more complex technical obligations, particularly those related to operating systems and age verification signals, will have an implementation deadline of January 1, 2028. The legislation establishes new obligations for operating system providers, as well as digital application and platform operators, with a key pillar being the implementation of an age verification system.

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Parents and families should have full confidence that the same protections are in place to keep their children safe online.