An act relating to the right of users to control their social media data
H.520 is a short-form bill that would create a user right to control social media data. As introduced, it would require social media companies to let individuals delete their user data, obtain that data in a portable format, and transfer it to other social media platforms. The bill is framed as a consumer-data and privacy measure focused on giving users greater control over information they have provided to or generated on social media services.
Because the bill text is short-form and omits the operative language, the specific enforcement mechanisms, definitions, exemptions, and penalties are not visible in the introduced text. Even so, the stated purpose makes clear that the bill would affect social media platforms operating in Vermont by imposing data-access, deletion, and portability obligations, and it would likely interact with existing state consumer protection and privacy law.
If enacted, H.520 would add a new state-level requirement for social media companies to support data deletion, data portability, and transferability rights for users. It would likely create compliance obligations for platforms handling Vermont users’ accounts and personal data, and could affect how companies design account settings, export tools, and deletion workflows. The bill would also potentially influence related state privacy enforcement and consumer rights provisions, depending on how the final text defines covered services and remedies.
There is limited recorded discussion or voting history available for this bill, so the overall sentiment cannot be measured from committee debate or floor votes. Based on the bill’s stated purpose, it appears to be a consumer-privacy measure intended to expand user control rather than restrict speech or platform operations directly. The absence of recorded opposition or support in the provided materials suggests the bill was at an early stage of consideration.
The main likely points of contention would be the scope of covered social media companies, the technical feasibility of data portability and transfer, and how deletion rights would be implemented in practice. Other possible disputes include whether the bill should apply to all platforms or only larger companies, how to protect third-party data and platform security, and whether Vermont should create requirements that may overlap with or exceed federal privacy law. No specific objections or supporters are identified in the provided transcripts or votes.