HB 5591

Abstract

Creates the Bolstering Online Transparency Act. Provides that a person shall not use a bot to communicate or interact with another person in this State online, with the intent to mislead the other person about its artificial identity for the purpose of knowingly deceiving the person about the content of the communication in order to incentivize a purchase or sale of goods or services in a commercial transaction or to influence a vote in an election, unless the person makes a specified disclosure. Provides that the disclosure shall be clear, conspicuous, and reasonably designed to inform persons with whom the bot communicates or interacts that it is a bot. Provides the Act does not impose a duty on service providers of online platforms, including, but not limited to, web hosting and Internet service providers. Provides that a violation of any of the provisions of the Act is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that the provisions of the Act are severable. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act to make a conforming change. Effective July 1, 2025.