Committee advances bill to punish digital identity fraud on social platforms

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday passed SB 594 (LC 492737) on a unanimous voice vote after sponsor testimony described cases in which grieving families were re-victimized by unauthorized fundraising pages and social-media accounts.

Senator Bearden, the sponsor, said the bill defines a social-platform "operator" and makes knowingly using another person's images or identity for fraudulent fundraising a felony (punishable by one to 20 years) and provides civil remedies. The draft requires platforms to acknowledge victim takedown requests within 72 hours and to restrict allegedly fraudulent material within 48 hours if notified by law enforcement; failure to comply may expose platforms to civil fines (statutory penalties described in the bill include amounts up to $5,000 per civil violation and up to $50,000 for certain law-enforcement-related failures).

Bearden said the measure also creates a private tort allowing victims to sue platforms and that the bill was designed to help victims and law enforcement remove exploitative content promptly. The committee moved and passed the bill without recorded opposition.

The committee's action sends SB 594 to the next legislative stage for further consideration.