California bill aims to combat fentanyl crisis by cracking down on illegal online drug sales.
California Lawmakers Target Online Drug Sales through Social Media Platforms
State lawmakers in California are taking action to combat the online sale of drugs, particularly the dangerous opioid fentanyl, by introducing Assembly Bill 1027. This bill, spearheaded by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, aims to increase transparency and accountability from social media platforms operating in the state.
The proposed legislation would require these platforms to disclose their policies for recording users’ online communications, specifically those related to drug activity. By sharing this information with law enforcement agencies, the bill seeks to better equip them in their fight against illegal drug sales online and address the fentanyl crisis.
Assembly Bill 1027 has already passed the Assembly and is currently progressing through the Senate Appropriations Committee.
“This drug is ravaging our communities every day. Kids are dying. We need to ensure that our law enforcement partners have every tool they need to fight this epidemic. It is clear that this crisis is urgent and immediate action is vital,” emphasized Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris.
The primary focus of the bill is to target the sale of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, synthetic opioids, predominantly fentanyl, were involved in nearly 70 percent of all drug overdose deaths in 2022.
Drug dealers are exploiting the anonymity of social media platforms to target vulnerable populations, such as underage and homeless youth, as highlighted by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris’s office.
Some social media platforms have chat settings that automatically delete chat history after a few hours, making it challenging for law enforcement to track and prosecute online fentanyl traffickers, according to the press release.
The proposed bill would require social media platforms to retain users’ communications or content that violates their policies against the sale or distribution of illegal drugs for at least 90 days. Additionally, these platforms would need to publish their retention policies and procedures for sharing such information.
Furthermore, the bill mandates that platforms submit a monthly report to the California Attorney General’s office regarding accounts flagged for illicit drug sales. Failure to comply could result in fines up to $190,000 for the first violation and up to $380,000 for subsequent violations.
However, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) California Action and the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital rights group, have expressed opposition to the bill. The Foundation raises concerns about the potential infringement on personal privacy and the threat to end-to-end encryption, which ensures secure communication between parties.
Despite the opposition, Assembly Bill 1027 represents a significant step towards combating the online sale of drugs and addressing the fentanyl crisis in California.
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