Governor Hochul Signs “Stop Hiding Hate” Act to Ensure Social Media Platforms are Transparent & Accountable

NEW YORK — This weekend, Governor Hochul signed the “Stop Hiding Hate Act” (S895B/A6789B) which requires large social media companies to be transparent and accountable for their policies and moderation practices regarding online hatred. The legislation was sponsored by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D, WFP - Manhattan) and Assembly Member Grace Lee (D, WFP - Manhattan) and modeled after a similar law signed in California.

The law, written in partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), will require any social media company operating in New York State to post their terms of service in accessible language, including information on the process through which users may flag content. The bill also requires social media companies to submit terms of service reports to the New York State Attorney General including statements on whether the terms of services define, and how they define hate speech or racism, extremism or radicalization, disinformation or misinformation, harassment, and foreign political interference, as well as how they enforce those policies, and steps taken and data on flagged and actioned items of content.

Earlier this year, in response to X’s request to meet about amending this bill, Senator Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Lee rejected their meeting request, noting that they did not believe that X wanted to meet in good faith to improve the bill, but would rather look to weaken it. Their letter noted that X has experienced “drastically higher reports of online hate speech ever since the company’s ownership change” and that Mr. Musk has personally used the platform to promote transphobic, antisemitic, and anti-immigrant ideologies, as well as spread misinformation about US elections. The letter includes examples to back up these claims.

State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said: “With white supremacy, antisemitism, islamophobia, anti-LGBTQ hatred and anti-AAPI violence all on the rise, social media companies must ensure that their platforms don’t advance disinformation and hate-fueled violence. The current social media landscape makes it too easy for bad actors to promote false claims, hate and dangerous conspiracies, too often leading to violence like January 6 and the rise in antisemitism and islamophobia we have seen in the aftermath of the October 7th terrorist attacks in Israel. I’m proud that the “Stop Hiding Hate” Act, which Assemblymember Lee and I wrote in partnership with the ADL, is now law. This act will require social media companies to report their moderation policies to the NYS Attorney General for public inspection. This will help boost accountability and transparency for social media companies who currently face far too little regulation, and create a safer social media environment for all.”

Assembly Member Grace Lee said: “Social media companies have created an environment where hate and disinformation spread like wildfire. Algorithms that prioritize the most attention-grabbing posts often amplify hateful language, giving it a massive platform. These companies have a responsibility to protect users from this hate, but have failed to do so. The Asian community was deeply affected by this phenomenon during COVID, as hateful conspiracy theories spread online, fueling real-world hate crimes. The “Stop Hiding Hate” Act ensures greater accountability and transparency on social media, requiring companies to clearly outline the steps they are taking to eliminate hate on their platforms. It will provide critical protections for all users online and hold these platforms accountable to the public. I am proud to have worked with Senator Holyman-Sigal and the ADL to make New York only the second state in the nation to pass this important legislation and have it signed into law.”

Scott Richman, Regional Director, Anti-Defamation League - New York & New Jersey, said: “We are elated that Governor Hochul has signed S895/A6789. Today represents the culmination of the hard work of Senator Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Lee and tireless advocacy from community organizations and constituents across New York who support this measure for greater internet transparency and safety. We know there is still work to be done to protect vulnerable communities from hate and extremism online, but we commend Governor Hochul for taking this important step in creating a safer internet for all New Yorkers.”

###