Colorado looks to toughen social media protections
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Attorney General Phil Weiser is aiming to tighten the reins on social media companies as part of an effort to curtail illegal activity and improve youth mental health.
Why it matters: The issue is a cornerstone of his bid for governor in 2026 and a test of his influence with the Democratic majority at the state Capitol.
State of play: The bipartisan legislation is designed to force social media companies to police illegal activities and behavior, such as advertising drugs, gun sales, sex trafficking or pornography, and promptly cooperate with law enforcement.
The measure — which cleared an initial state Senate vote Tuesday — also requires companies to report:
- How they respond to illegal activity, such as fentanyl trafficking;
- The number of Colorado residents who use the platform;
- The frequency and duration of time minors spend on their platform, as well as how much they view content deemed inappropriate.
What he's saying: "This is a level of responsible oversight," Weiser told us in a recent interview.
- He added: "We need to be doing more to protect our kids, and these platforms need to be more responsible in how they operate."
Between the lines: A similar effort failed a year ago. Weiser blames extraneous material added to the bill for its collapse and remains confident this slimmer package will pass muster.
The big picture: The issue is a top priority for Weiser. His office is also pursuing litigation against Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, saying it knowingly features harmful content to addict children and violates consumer protection laws.