SENATE COMMERCE COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4101

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  nOVEMBER 17, 2025

 

      The Senate Commerce Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 4101 (1R).

      This bill requires a social media company to provide a 24-hour toll-free telephone number by which an account holder may contact a live customer service representative of the social media company for the purpose of reporting fraudulent activity, including, but not limited to, unauthorized access to a social media account.  A social media company is also required to publish the toll-free telephone number and an explanation of the purpose of the toll-free telephone number on any email notifications of account security sent to a New Jersey account holder and in a prominent location on the social media platform’s homepage or help page.

      It is an unlawful practice and a violation of the consumer fraud act for a social media company to fail to comply with any provision of this bill.  An unlawful practice under the consumer fraud act is punishable by a monetary penalty of not more than $10,000 for a first offense and not more than $20,000 for any subsequent offense.  In addition, a violation can result in cease and desist orders issued by the Attorney General, the assessment of punitive damages, and the awarding of treble damages and costs to the injured party.

      As reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 4101 (1R) is identical to Senate Bill No. 3017, which was amended and reported by the committee on this date.