CCV Opposes Dangerous Google-Backed SB 175 Ahead of Possible Committee Vote
Organization urges lawmakers to reject Big Tech's bill and advance Sen. Reynolds' App Store Accountability Act
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Center for Christian Virtue is urging Ohio lawmakers to reject Senate Bill 175, a Google-backed proposal that would weaken parental rights online and shield app stores from meaningful accountability.
The legislation is expected to receive consideration in the Senate Financial Institutions, Insurance and Technology Committee as early as Tuesday, making immediate action critical for Ohio families.
CCV supports Senate Bill 167, the App Store Accountability Act, sponsored by Sen. Michele Reynolds. The bill would provide true protections for Ohio’s kids by requiring privacy-preserving age verification, parental consent for minors downloading apps, accurate app age ratings and meaningful enforcement mechanisms to hold app stores accountable.
More than 170 child advocacy organizations support CCV-backed SB 167, including The Heritage Foundation, National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Protect Young Eyes, Defend Young Minds, Institute for Family Studies and numerous other organizations focused on protecting children online.
By contrast, Google-backed SB 175 would continue allowing app stores to rely largely on self-reported ages, does not require accurate app age ratings, allows minors to enter into binding agreements without parental consent and creates legal shields that make it more difficult to hold app stores accountable.
"It is unacceptable that one of the largest corporations in the world is lobbying Ohio lawmakers to weaken protections for children," said Aaron Baer, president of CCV. "Parents deserve accurate information, meaningful consent rights and real accountability when it comes to their children's online activity. Lawmakers should reject Google's bill, vote no on SB 175 and advance the real reform found in SB 167."
CCV is encouraging Ohioans to contact members of the Ohio Senate and urge them to oppose SB 175 and support SB 167 before any committee vote.
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As Ohio's largest Christian public policy organization, Center for Christian Virtue seeks the good of our neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel.
