United States: IT and Internet

California law recognizes that workplace sexual harassment extends beyond physical interactions to include digital communications through Slack, Teams, texts, social media, and other electronic platforms. Understanding how unwanted sexual messages, explicit content, and inappropriate digital conduct can create a hostile work environment is crucial for protecting employee rights, regardless of whether communications occur during work hours or through personal devices.

The FCC received extensive industry feedback on its proposed equipment authorization and Covered List rules, with manufacturers, technology companies, and trade associations pushing back against broad regulatory requirements. Commenters generally support supply chain protection but seek narrower rules with a stronger connection between regulatory burdens and actual security risks, particularly regarding bills of materials requirements, certification mandates, and equipment authorization expiration.

California has enacted the nation's most comprehensive online child safety legislation, banning addictive social media features for minors under 16, establishing strict companion chatbot regulations, and imposing enhanced civil penalties for platforms that harm children. Companies operating social media platforms or chatbots accessible to California children must now assess their products, audit features, and prepare compliance programs ahead of the laws' effective dates.