Social media companies operating in New York are now required to report their content moderation policies to the Office of the Attorney General under the “Stop Hiding Hate” Act. The law, sponsored by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Grace Lee and signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in December 2024, aims to increase transparency about how platforms address hate speech, racism, misinformation, and other harmful content.
The legislation applies to any social media company with over $100 million in annual gross revenue that operates in New York. These companies must submit biannual reports detailing whether and how they enforce their policies on issues such as extremism, harassment, foreign political interference, and disinformation. Reports can be submitted online starting immediately and are due by January 1.
Attorney General Letitia James stated: “With violence and polarization on the rise, social media companies must ensure that their platforms don’t fuel hateful rhetoric and disinformation. The Stop Hiding Hate Act requires social media companies to share their content moderation policies publicly and with my office to ensure that these companies are more transparent about how they are addressing harmful content on their platforms. I thank Governor Hochul, Senator Hoylman-Sigal, and Assemblymember Lee for their work on this legislation to ensure transparency and accountability.”
Governor Kathy Hochul commented: “Whether in our communities or online, my top priority is keeping New Yorkers safe. Social media platforms should be a place for people to connect and share their interests — not a place where individuals can hide behind a keyboard to spread hate speech or harass others. This legislation builds on our efforts to improve safety online and marks an important step to increase transparency and accountability.”
Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal said: “As real and threatened political violence emanates from the spread of hate speech and disinformation online, the Stop Hiding Hate Act will ensure that New Yorkers are able to know what social media companies are doing (or not doing) to stop the spread of hatred and misinformation on their platforms. The commencement of required reporting by social media companies is an important milestone and first step toward allowing New Yorkers to be able to better decide which social media platforms they utilize. The transparency and accountability resulting from the reporting required by the Stop Hiding Hate Act will reduce the circulation of malevolent white supremacy, antisemitism, islamophobia, anti-LGBTQ hatred and anti-AAPI violence. New Yorkers deserve this information, and I am happy to stand with Attorney General Letitia James, Assemblymember Grace Lee, and the Anti-Defamation League as we start to shed a light on the darkness that is social media content moderation.”
Assemblymember Grace Lee added: “Starting today, New Yorkers will finally get the transparency they deserve from social media companies. For too long, attention-driven algorithms have amplified harmful content with little accountability. The Stop Hiding Hate Act changes that by requiring clear reporting and real oversight. During COVID, the Asian American community felt firsthand how online lies can fuel real-world violence. Transparency and data are essential tools to hold platforms accountable. I’m proud to have worked with Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Hoylman-Sigal, and the ADL to protect New Yorkers from online harm.”
Under this law’s requirements:
– Companies must publish terms of service in accessible language.
– Platforms need clear procedures for users reporting violations.
– Reports must include data such as total flagged posts; actions taken against violative posts; details about removal or deprioritization.
Companies failing these obligations may face civil penalties up to $15,000 per violation per day.
