New York/New Jersey

Serving New York State, Northern & Central New Jersey

ADL Thanks Governor Hochul for Signing S895/A6789 into Law in Major Victory for a Safer Internet

  • December 23, 2024

The Governor’s signature ensures more transparency for a safer internet

New York, NY, December 23, 2024… ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) New York/New Jersey today hailed Governor Hochul’s signing of S895 (Hoylman-Sigal) / A6789 (Lee), the social media transparency bill, after years of advocacy for the bill’s passage.

“We are elated that Governor Hochul has signed S895/A6789,” said Scott Richman, ADL New York/New Jersey Regional Director. “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.”

S895/A6789 requires greater transparency regarding content moderation protocols from major social media platforms, helping to ensure accountability and hopefully create a safer social media environment for all users. According to ADL’s 2024 survey of Online Hate and Harassment, 56% of individuals say they have experienced harassment online. In addition, marginalized groups were most likely to experience the highest rates of harassment, with 49% of LGBTQ+ individuals and 63% of transgender individuals experiencing online harassment. 34% of Jewish adults were harassed because of their religion and nearly two-thirds felt less safe than they did last year.

ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of antisemitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of antisemitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. More at www.adl.org.

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