New York mandates age verification for algorithmic social feeds

The regulations apply to platforms hosting user-generated content where users spend at least 20 percent of their time engaging with algorithmic feeds. While the state does not dictate specific verification technologies, it demands systems capable of detecting circumvention attempts with 98 percent accuracy. Platforms must provide at least two verification options—one of which could be a government-issued ID—and are legally required to immediately delete or de-identify collected data once verification is complete.

Parental consent protocols form the second pillar of the mandate. Minors under 18 can request permission to bypass restrictions, though platforms are prohibited from blocking general app access or search functionality solely due to a lack of parental consent. The rules stop short of granting parents oversight into a child's search history or specific content interests. Despite the finalization of these rules, the legal path forward remains uncertain. Industry opponents argue the requirements infringe upon privacy and speech rights, echoing previous court challenges that have successfully stalled similar state-level age verification efforts across the country.