Bill to combat social media fraud clears committee
Drulis, Freiman, Speight legislation would help New Jersey residents whose social media accounts are hacked
NEW JERSEY — Legislation that would require social media companies to establish a toll-free telephone number for New Jersey account holders to report fraudulent activity, including unauthorized access to their social media accounts, advanced in the Assembly Aging and Human Services Committee Thursday.
Sponsored by Assembly members Mitchelle Drulis, Roy Freiman, and Shanique Speight, Bill A4101 seeks to address the challenges users face in obtaining customer assistance, particularly in cases where accounts have been hacked.
The bill mandates that social media companies provide a 24-hour toll-free telephone number staffed with live customer service representatives, so that social media users can report fraud and get immediate help.
“Individual persons, small businesses and even government agencies use social media. A hacked account could cause significant misinformation and incredible harm. There’s nothing worse than having your account hacked, trying every possible way to recover it, and it being impossible to reach someone for help,” said Assemblywoman Drulis (D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset). “Users deserve real-time assistance when their accounts are compromised, and this bill would ensure that New Jersey residents have the resources they need to report fraud and take back control of their digital security.”
Social media companies with at least five million account holders worldwide would be required to provide the 24-hour customer support. Companies which fail to do so would be subject to penalties and fines.
“For too long, social media users have been left to fend for themselves, with little to no support,” said Assemblyman Freiman (D-Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset). “With the increasing number of online scams this legislation provides a simplified way for users to report fraud.”
The increasing frequency of social media hacks targeting high-profile individuals underscores that no one is immune to cyber threats. The Twitter accounts of former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama were among those compromised in a 2020 incident where hackers infiltrated accounts of prominent figures to promote a Bitcoin scam.
These incidents highlight the pressing need for around the clock support, a measure this bill seeks to provide.
The legislation was also sponsored by Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson).
