News

How Can Consumers Protect Their Personal Data?

The Utah Consumer Privacy Act (UCPA), a law that grants consumers several important rights regarding their personal data, became effective December 31, 2023. It is important that Utah consumers understand their rights under the new law and how they can exercise them. At the same time, businesses that operate in Utah must also understand their responsibilities under this new law....
January 2, 2024
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Consumer Protection
Department of Commerce

Utah sues Meta for child addiction harm and deceiving parents about dangers of Facebook and Instagram 

SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox and Attorney General Sean D. Reyes today announced a lawsuit against Meta Platforms, Inc. and its subsidiary Instagram, LLC, over their flagship social media products, Facebook and Instagram. The state alleges that the social media giant has violated the Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act by designing the platforms to trap children in excessive, harmful use that causes serious mental health issues. Meta also deceived parents and young users about the safety of using Instagram and Facebook....
October 24, 2023
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Consumer Protection
Department of Commerce
News and Announcements

Rule for Social Media Regulation Act Published

SALT LAKE CITY—The Utah Office of Administrative Rules has published the Utah Social Media Regulation Act (SMRA) rule, crafted and submitted by the Department of Commerce’s Division of Consumer Protection (Division). The Division invites the public to submit comments on the rule and share experiences with minors on social media platforms at socialmedia.utah.gov until February 5, 2024. A public hearing will be held at the Capitol Senate Building in room 220 on November 1, from 9:00 to 11:00 am....
October 16, 2023
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Department of Commerce
News and Announcements

Utah sues TikTok over child addiction harm, targets “enmeshment” with its China-based parent company

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — Today, Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox and Attorney General Sean D. Reyes announced a lawsuit against TikTok. After extensive investigation, the state alleges the social media giant illegally baits children into addictive and unhealthy use, blatantly misrepresents the app’s safety, and deceptively portrays itself as independent of its China-based parent company ByteDance....
October 11, 2023
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Consumer Protection
Department of Commerce
News and Announcements