Law / United States / 
South Carolina
H.3431 (2026), Age-Appropriate Design Code Act (Act No. 96 of 2026)
S.C. Code Ann. Title 39, ch. 80
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What follows is LexLint's own research summary of this law, not legal advice.
In force 8 months, effective 5 February 2026.
An age-appropriate design code rule binding private bodies.
As of 15 July 2026.
What this law does
Drafted with AI from the cited sources under the direction of UnGovr staff. UnGovr holds editorial responsibility for this page.
Requires online services reasonably likely to be accessed by minors to set protective default privacy settings for known minors, offer opt outs from personalized recommendation systems, limit addictive design features and nighttime and school hours notifications, and undergo independent third party audits reported to the Attorney General. NetChoice sued days after enactment and a preliminary injunction motion is pending.
If you get it wrong
Penalties
Treble damages available to the Attorney General, and possible personal liability for officers and employees for willful and wanton violations.
Who enforces it
Enforcement body
South Carolina Attorney General
Litigation
- Court
- U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina
- Docket
- NetChoice, LLC v. Wilson, No. 3:26-cv-00543-SAL (D.S.C.)
- Posture
- Filed February 9, 2026 alleging First and Fourteenth Amendment violations. NetChoice moved for a preliminary injunction on March 9, 2026; briefing was completed April 20, 2026 and the motion remains pending with no ruling as of this date, so the Act remains enforceable.
What it reaches
Age threshold
18
Covered services
Online services, products, or features reasonably likely to be accessed by minors under 18 doing business in South Carolina.
Who checks it
Audit expectation
periodic
Who audits it
Independent third party
Where the report goes
Filed with regulator, Published
When LexLint raises it
operates_social_platformserves_minors
Read the law
official South Carolina Legislature bill and act text
Every line above is drawn from the primary source linked here, read on the date shown. This is a research summary, not legal advice.