Utah’s Digital Choice Act is groundbreaking legislation recently signed into law that could transform our relationship with social media across America.
Utah’s Governor Spencer Cox declared it may be “the most important thing we’ve done for a generation.”
What is the Utah Digital Choice Act?
HB418, the Utah Digital Choice Act, is groundbreaking legislation recently signed into law and could transform our relationship with social media across America. The Digital Choice Act, championed by Governor Spencer Cox and supported across state party lines, gives individuals unprecedented control over their social media data.
This pioneering law contains three crucial provisions. First, it mandates complete data portability, allowing people to download and transfer all their content and interactions. Second, it guarantees the right to deletion, requiring companies to remove all personal information upon request. Third, it enforces interoperability between platforms, enabling cross-platform communication similar to how email works across different providers.
The legislation aims to correct power imbalances in the digital ecosystem. It enables people to transfer their data seamlessly between platforms, reducing the lock-in effect that has cemented Big Tech’s dominance for decades.
Supported by experts and most Americans
With the support of industry experts such as Paul Allen, co-founder of Ancestry.com and SOAR AI, and Dr. Jonathan Haidt, New York Times bestselling author of “The Anxious Generation,” Project Liberty was honored to contribute to the passage of the Digital Choice Act. By working with Governor Cox, House sponsor Representative Doug Fiefia, and Senate sponsor Senator Mike McKell, Project Liberty provided necessary insight into the technical solutions available to enable the bill’s mandated changes.
This cutting-edge regulation reflects growing public sentiment – research shows that 90% of Americans support legislation allowing individuals to opt out of targeted advertising. As people demand greater control and migrate to more user-friendly platforms, Utah’s Digital Choice Act represents a significant first step toward realigning the internet with user interests rather than corporate priorities.
What’s next?
But Utah is just one state. So Project Liberty is now turning its attention to educating other state leaders about the passage of the Digital Choice Act and how similar legislation can be passed in additional states. At least half a dozen other states – across the political spectrum – have already expressed interest in passing similar legislation to change the relationship fundamentally between people and platforms. Currently, companies profit from selling user attention to advertisers, treating people as products rather than customers. With greater mobility and choice, platforms will need to compete by offering safer, higher-quality online experiences.
Project Liberty is eager to support other states that are interested in enacting similar legislation. If you’d like to learn about how your state could become a part of this legislative movement, email [email protected].