WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 3 REQUIREMENT TYPES
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(1)–(5) As used in this chapter: (1) "Algorithmic ranking systemAlgorithmic ranking system"Algorithmic ranking system" means an automated computational process used to prioritize, recommend, amplify, demote, or suppress content based on user data, engagement metrics, behavioral profiling, or other automated inputs.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1)" means an automated computational process used to prioritize, recommend, amplify, demote, or suppress content based on user data, engagement metrics, behavioral profiling, or other automated inputs. (2) "Covered platformCovered platform"Covered platform" means an online service, website, or application that: (i) Has more than one million (1,000,000) monthly active users nationally; and (ii) Allows users to create profiles and generate or share content visible to other users.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(2)" means an online service, website, or application that: (i) Has more than one million (1,000,000) monthly active users nationally; and (ii) Allows users to create profiles and generate or share content visible to other users. (3) "Synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means audio, video, image, or text content that has been materially generated or altered using artificial intelligence or automated technologies in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to believe the content depicts a real individual, statement, or event that did not occur.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(3)" means audio, video, image, or text content that has been materially generated or altered using artificial intelligence or automated technologies in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to believe the content depicts a real individual, statement, or event that did not occur. (4) "Coordinated inauthentic behaviorCoordinated inauthentic behavior"Coordinated inauthentic behavior" means the use of false identities, automated accounts, or deceptive attribution practices to artificially amplify content.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(4)" means the use of false identities, automated accounts, or deceptive attribution practices to artificially amplify content. (5) "Foreign-controlled entityForeign-controlled entity"Foreign-controlled entity" means an entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a foreign government or foreign national as defined under federal election law.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(5)" means an entity owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a foreign government or foreign national as defined under federal election law.
Section 6-63-1 establishes the five defined terms that govern the scope and application of the chapter. The threshold for covered platform — one million monthly active users nationally plus user profiles and user-generated content — captures major social media platforms but excludes smaller services and platforms that do not allow user profiles. Synthetic media is defined using a reasonable-person standard tied to material generation or alteration using AI, narrowing its scope to content that could plausibly deceive.
(a) This chapter shall apply only to content presented to users physically located within the State of Rhode Island.
(b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to regulate commerce occurring wholly outside the State of Rhode Island.
Section 6-63-2 limits the chapter's geographic reach to content presented to users physically located within Rhode Island and disclaims regulation of commerce occurring wholly outside the state. These are scope provisions rather than affirmative compliance obligations, designed to address dormant Commerce Clause concerns.
(a)(1)–(4) 1 A covered platformCovered platform"Covered platform" means an online service, website, or application that: (i) Has more than one million (1,000,000) monthly active users nationally; and (ii) Allows users to create profiles and generate or share content visible to other users.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(2) shall publicly disclose, in clear and plain language: (1) The primary factors used to determine ranking, recommendation, amplification, or suppression of content; (2) Whether engagement-based metrics materially affect content visibility; (3) Whether paid promotion, sponsored placement, or financial incentives influence content prioritization; and (4) Whether behavioral profiling materially influences content personalization.
(b) 2 A covered platformCovered platform"Covered platform" means an online service, website, or application that: (i) Has more than one million (1,000,000) monthly active users nationally; and (ii) Allows users to create profiles and generate or share content visible to other users.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(2) shall clearly disclose to users physically located within the state whether content is presented chronologically or through algorithmic ranking.
(c) Nothing in this section shall require disclosure of proprietary source code, trade secrets, or confidential business information.
Section 6-63-3 is the bill's core algorithmic transparency provision. It requires covered platforms to make two categories of public disclosures: a general public disclosure of the primary factors driving their algorithmic ranking, engagement, paid promotion, and behavioral profiling practices, and a user-facing disclosure telling Rhode Island users whether their content feed is chronological or algorithmic. The trade-secrets savings clause in subsection (c) limits the disclosure obligation to explanatory-level information rather than proprietary source code or confidential business information.
(a) 3 A covered platformCovered platform"Covered platform" means an online service, website, or application that: (i) Has more than one million (1,000,000) monthly active users nationally; and (ii) Allows users to create profiles and generate or share content visible to other users.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(2) shall implement and maintain commercially reasonable policies and technical measures designed to detect synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means audio, video, image, or text content that has been materially generated or altered using artificial intelligence or automated technologies in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to believe the content depicts a real individual, statement, or event that did not occur.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(3) that materially depicts real individuals, statements, or events.
(b) 4 Upon actual knowledge or reasonable detection of synthetic mediaSynthetic media"Synthetic media" means audio, video, image, or text content that has been materially generated or altered using artificial intelligence or automated technologies in a manner that would cause a reasonable person to believe the content depicts a real individual, statement, or event that did not occur.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(3), a covered platformCovered platform"Covered platform" means an online service, website, or application that: (i) Has more than one million (1,000,000) monthly active users nationally; and (ii) Allows users to create profiles and generate or share content visible to other users.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(2) shall clearly and conspicuously disclose that such content has been generated or materially altered using artificial intelligence.
(c)–(d) Compliance with this section shall be evaluated based on commercially reasonable industry standards. (d) Nothing in this section shall require continuous monitoring of user content or proactive surveillance beyond commercially reasonable detection practices.
Section 6-63-4 imposes two synthetic media obligations on covered platforms: a duty to implement commercially reasonable detection measures for synthetic media depicting real individuals, and a duty to label detected synthetic media as AI-generated. The commercially-reasonable standard in subsections (c) and (d) tempers both obligations — compliance is measured against industry standards, and the statute expressly disclaims any requirement of continuous monitoring or proactive surveillance beyond commercially reasonable practices.
(1)–(2) 5 It shall constitute an unfair and deceptive trade practice under chapter 13.1 of title 6 for a covered platformCovered platform"Covered platform" means an online service, website, or application that: (i) Has more than one million (1,000,000) monthly active users nationally; and (ii) Allows users to create profiles and generate or share content visible to other users.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(2) to: (1) Materially misrepresent the operation of its algorithmic ranking systemsAlgorithmic ranking system"Algorithmic ranking system" means an automated computational process used to prioritize, recommend, amplify, demote, or suppress content based on user data, engagement metrics, behavioral profiling, or other automated inputs.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(1); (2) Make an objectively verifiable and materially false representation that its content feed is neutral, unbiased, or organic where algorithmic amplification materially alters content visibility without disclosure;
(3) 6 Knowingly fail to provide the disclosures required under this chapter; and
(4) 7 Knowingly permit coordinated inauthentic behaviorCoordinated inauthentic behavior"Coordinated inauthentic behavior" means the use of false identities, automated accounts, or deceptive attribution practices to artificially amplify content.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(4) by foreign-controlled entities after receiving actual notice of such activity.
Section 6-63-5 designates four categories of conduct as unfair and deceptive trade practices under Rhode Island's existing UDAP statute (R.I. Gen. Laws ch. 6-13.1). The first three prohibitions target platform misrepresentations about their own algorithmic systems — material misrepresentation of how algorithms operate, false claims of neutrality when algorithmic amplification materially alters visibility, and knowing failure to provide the chapter's required disclosures. The fourth prohibition targets foreign-influence operations, requiring platforms to act upon actual notice of coordinated inauthentic behavior by foreign-controlled entities. All four carry the knowledge or materiality qualifiers typical of UDAP liability.
(a)–(d) The attorney general may enforce violations of this chapter pursuant to chapter 13.1 of title 6. (b) Any Rhode Island resident materially harmed by a violation of this chapter may bring a civil action for declaratory or injunctive relief. (c) Civil penalties shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per knowing violation. Each day a knowing violation continues shall constitute a separate violation. (d) No damages shall be awarded absent proof that the covered platformCovered platform"Covered platform" means an online service, website, or application that: (i) Has more than one million (1,000,000) monthly active users nationally; and (ii) Allows users to create profiles and generate or share content visible to other users.R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-63-1(2) intentionally or recklessly violated this chapter.
Section 6-63-6 establishes the bill's enforcement framework. The attorney general enforces under the existing UDAP statute. Private plaintiffs who are materially harmed may seek declaratory or injunctive relief — but not monetary damages. Civil penalties are capped at $10,000 per knowing violation, with each day of a continuing knowing violation treated as a separate violation. Subsection (d) imposes a heightened mens rea requirement for damages: no damages absent proof of intentional or reckless violation.
(a)–(b) This chapter shall be construed as a content-neutral regulation of commercial conduct and transparency. (b) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to: (1) Regulate speech based on viewpoint or ideology; (2) Require a platform to host or remove specific content; (3) Impose liability for third-party content; (4) Conflict with 47 U.S.C. § 230; (5) Require continuous monitoring of user speech.
Section 6-63-7 contains the bill's construction provisions, designed to insulate it from First Amendment and Section 230 challenges. The chapter is declared to be a content-neutral regulation of commercial conduct and transparency, and expressly disclaims any interpretation that would regulate speech based on viewpoint, require hosting or removing specific content, impose third-party content liability, conflict with 47 U.S.C. § 230, or require continuous monitoring of user speech.
If any provision of this chapter is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions that can be given effect without the invalid provision, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
Standard severability clause declaring that if any provision is held invalid, the remaining provisions survive.