House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

Amends new GS 75-70 as follows. Amends the items that are specifically excluded from the definition of social media platform, covered platform, or platform as include among the exclusions: (1) includes a wireless messaging service provided through a functional equivalent to a short messaging service or multimedia messaging service protocols; (2) video game services primarily designed to serve as a platform to play video games (was, those specifically designed to serve as a platform to solely play video games); (3) online shopping or e-commerce services primarily designed for that purpose (was, specifically designed for that sole purpose); and (4) adds in a community forum where the primary purpose is for customer self-service support related to products, sellers, services, events, or places or any combination. Makes an additional technical change.

Amends GS 75-71 by adding the requirement that a social media platform annually, beginning in 2026, provide the Consumer Protection Division (Division) of the Department of Justice with a digital copy of the platform’s privacy policy and certification that the platform has complied with the statute’s requirements. Requires platforms to give notice of substantive privacy policy changes to the registry. Requires the Division to keep a registry of those policies and certifications in its website. Also makes a clarifying change.

Amends GS 75-72 by making a technical change.

Amend GS 75-73 by changing the date for which a platform’s violations of the Article is an unfair or deceptive act or practice, so that it is now effective January 1, 2027 (was, 2026).

Amends GS 75-74 by changing the date of the Task Force’s first annual report to the NCGA from March 15, 2026, to March 15, 2027.

Changes the effective date provision by making technical changes.