New York Attorney General Letitia James on Oct. 2 announced that social media companies must begin reporting their content moderation policies to her office under the new “Stop Hiding Hate” Act.
The law requires major social media platforms operating in New York with more than $100 million in annual revenue to submit reports twice a year detailing how they handle hate speech, misinformation, racism, harassment and other harmful content.
Companies can now file their reports online, with the first submissions due by January 1, 2026.
“With violence and polarization on the rise, social media companies must ensure that their platforms don’t fuel hateful rhetoric and disinformation,” James said in a statement.
The law aims to bring long-overdue transparency and accountability to digital spaces that have often gone unchecked, particularly as online hate and misinformation continue to spill over into real-world violence.
Under the “Stop Hiding Hate” Act, companies must:
- Publish their terms of service in plain, accessible language and include contact information for user questions.
- Clearly outline how users can report violations.
- Describe the actions they may take against violators, including post removal, demonetization, or deprioritization.
The biannual reports must include detailed data on the total number of posts flagged for policy violations, how many posts were actioned and what specific steps were taken.
Failure to post terms of service, submit reports, or provide accurate information could result in civil penalties of up to $15,000 per violation per day.
The law was signed in December 2024 amid rising concerns about how online platforms amplify hate speech, disinformation and extremist content.
“Whether in our communities or online, my top priority is keeping New Yorkers safe,” said Governor Kathy Hochul.
Lawmakers and advocates say the new reporting requirements will empower New Yorkers to better understand how social media companies moderate their platforms and hold them accountable when they don’t.
