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AB-656 • 2026

Account cancellation.

Account cancellation.

Privacy
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Schiavo
Last action
Official status
Chaptered
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official metadata lists an effective date as blank; verification against external sources is needed for implementation timing.

AB-656: Account Cancellation

This law requires social media platforms to provide a clear button for users to delete their accounts and treats that action as a request to remove personal data under the California Consumer Privacy Act.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires social media platforms to show a clear and conspicuous button that lets users delete their account.
  • Mandates that clicking the deletion button provides steps to delete both the user's account and personal information according to specified procedures.
  • Prohibits social media platforms from obstructing or interfering with a user's ability to delete their account as specified.
  • States that a request to delete an account counts as a request to delete personal information under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

Who It Names or Affects

  • Social media platforms owned or operated by companies subject to existing regulations.
  • Users of these social media platforms who want to close their accounts.

Terms To Know

Clear and conspicuous button
A visible clickable option on a platform that allows users to delete their account.
CCPA
The California Consumer Privacy Act, which gives consumers rights over personal information collected by businesses.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The official text mentions 'specified procedures' for deletion but does not list the specific steps in this summary.
  • The effective date is listed as blank in the provided metadata, so it is unclear exactly when the law starts.
  • The source material does not specify penalties for companies that do not follow these rules.

Bill History

  1. California Legislative Information

    Chaptered

Official Summary Text

Account cancellation.