FloridaLaw keeps certain social media investigation records confidential
The Attorney General and Department of Legal Affairs keep certain investigation information private while investigations are active, with some protections continuing afterward.
What it does
Information from certain investigations involving social media platforms stays confidential while an investigation is active. Some personal and sensitive business information stays confidential after it ends.
Argument forKeeping personal details, security weaknesses, and qualifying trade secrets private could protect people and businesses from harm caused by public release.
Argument againstKeeping identifying details, forensic reports, and certain business information private after investigations end could make public oversight harder.
More detail
The law keeps certain investigation information confidential while an investigation is active and keeps listed sensitive information confidential after it ends. These rules cover information the Attorney General receives in investigations under the antitrust law provision, and information the Department of Legal Affairs receives in investigations into violations of the social media platforms law; law enforcement agencies may conduct those investigations. While an investigation is active, the Attorney General or the Department of Legal Affairs may share protected information to perform official duties or with another government entity for its official duties. After an investigation ends or is no longer active, information covered by another public-records exemption, personal identifying information, computer forensic reports, security weaknesses, and qualifying proprietary business information remain confidential. Proprietary business information must be private, harmful to disclose, not readily available elsewhere in the same form, and include a trade secret or competitive interest. The law took effect when it became law. These provisions are scheduled for repeal on October 2, 2031, unless the Legislature reviews and reenacts them.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 17Chapter No. 2026-153Latest
- Jun 16Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 12Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 17Ordered enrolledMinor
- Mar 9CS passed; YEAS 105, NAYS 2Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 9Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 9Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 9Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 5Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026)
- Feb 16Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Feb 101st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Feb 10Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/19/2026)
- Feb 10Bill referred to House Calendar
- Jan 29In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 29Immediately certified
- Jan 29CS passed; YEAS 33 NAYS 2Passed Senate
- Jan 29Read 3rd timeMinor
- Jan 29Read 2nd timeMinor
- Jan 27Placed on Special Order Calendar, 01/29/26
- Vote recorded Favorable. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 27Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Jan 27Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 22 NAYS 0Minor
- Jan 22On Committee agenda-- Rules, 01/27/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
- Jan 14Now in Rules
- Jan 13CS by Governmental Oversight and Accountability read 1st time
- Jan 13IntroducedMinor
- Jan 13Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Jan 12CS by Governmental Oversight and Accountability; YEAS 9 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 5On Committee agenda-- Governmental Oversight and Accountability, 01/12/26, 1:30 pm, 110 Senate Building
- 2025
- Dec 11Referred to Governmental Oversight and Accountability; RulesMinor
- Dec 11FiledMinor
- Dec 10Submitted as Committee Bill and Reported Favorably by Commerce and Tourism; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Submitted and Reported Favorably as Committee. Result: pass.Upper
- Dec 1On Committee agenda-- Commerce and Tourism, 12/10/25, 11:30 am, 110 Senate Building
- Dec 1Submitted for consideration by Commerce and TourismIntroduced
Government & Ethics