The proposed bill, known as the "Digital Age Assurance Act," aims to regulate mature content on websites, applications, and online services, particularly focusing on protecting minors from accessing such content. It defines key terms such as "covered manufacturer," "mature content," and "minor," and outlines the responsibilities of covered manufacturers, which include taking reasonable steps to determine the age of users and ensuring parental consent for users under 16 when downloading applications. Additionally, the bill mandates that websites and online services that host mature content must recognize age signals from manufacturers and restrict access accordingly.
The bill also establishes enforcement mechanisms, granting exclusive authority to the Department of the Attorney General to oversee compliance. It specifies that entities alleged to violate the act will receive a 45-day notice to rectify the issue before civil action can be initiated, with potential damages of up to $10,000 per violation. Importantly, covered manufacturers are protected from liability if they have made reasonable efforts to comply with the age verification requirements. Overall, the bill seeks to create a safer digital environment for minors while outlining clear responsibilities for manufacturers and online service providers.