N.J. Stat. tit. 56, ch. 18

in effect

N.J. Stat. § 56:18-1 Definitions relative to use of bots.

1. As used in P.L.2019, c.486 (C.56:18-1 et seq.): "Bot" means an automated online account where all or substantially all of the actions or posts of that account are not directly generated by a live natural person. "Computer or mobile application" means computer application software used by a person operating a computer or mobile device. "Internet service provider" shall have the same meaning as provided in section 3 of P.L.2007, c.272 (C.56:8-170). "Online" means appearing on any public-facing Internet website, Internet web application, or computer or mobile application, including a social networking website or publication. "Online platform" means any public-facing Internet website, Internet web application, or computer or mobile application, including a social networking website or publication. "Person" means a natural person, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, estate, trust, government agency, or other legal entity or any combination thereof. "Social networking website" shall have the same meaning as provided in section 1 of P.L.2012, c.75 (C.18A:3-29). L.2019, c.486, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 56:18-2 Notification relative to communication, interaction when using a bot.

2. A person shall not use an online bot to communicate or interact with a person in this State in connection with the sale or advertisement of any merchandise or real estate or to solicit support for any candidate, party or public question in an election unless the person discloses at the outset of the communication or interaction, in clear and conspicuous fashion, that the communication or interaction is being conducted by or through a bot. L.2019, c.486, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 56:18-3 Duties, obligations cumulative.

3. a. The duties and obligations imposed by P.L.2019, c.486 (C.56:18-1 et seq.) are cumulative with any other duties or obligation imposed by any other law. b. The provisions of P.L.2019, c.486 (C.56:18-1 et seq.) shall not impose a duty on a service provider of an online platform, including, but not limited to, an Internet web hosting service provider or an Internet service provider. L.2019, c.486, s.3.

N.J. Stat. § 56:18-4 Violations, penalties.

4. a. A person who violates the provisions of P.L.2019, c.486 (C.56:18-1 et seq.) shall be liable for a civil penalty of $2,500 for the first offense, $5,000 for the second offense, and $10,000 for each subsequent offense, to be collected in a civil action by a summary proceeding under the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). The Superior Court shall have jurisdiction of proceedings for the enforcement of the penalty provided by this section. b. In addition to the penalty provided above, if a person violates, P.L.2019, c.486 (C.56:18-1 et seq.), the Attorney General may seek injunctive relief to prohibit and prevent the violation. In any action brought pursuant to this section, the State shall be entitled to recover the costs of investigation, costs of the action, and reasonable attorney fees. L.2019, c.486, s.4.

N.J. Stat. § 56:18-5 Rules, regulations.

5. The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety shall adopt rules and regulations, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), necessary to implement the provisions of P.L.2019, c.486 (C.56:18-1 et seq.). L.2019, c.486, s.5.

N.J. Stat. § 56:18-6 Definitions.

1. As used in this act: “New Jersey account holder” means a New Jersey resident who has or who creates a social media account on a social media platform. “Social media account” means a profile created by a person on a social media platform which contains personal information, including name, phone number, email, or other identifying information. “Account” also includes a profile created by a person that only contains pictures or videos that the person owns and shares. “Social media company” means a person, business, or other legal entity and its agents, assignees, or representatives that provides or operates a social media platform with at least five million account holders worldwide. “Social media platform” or “platform” means a public or semipublic Internet-based service or application that has users in this State, which service or application: (1) allows users to construct a public or semipublic social media account for the purposes of using the platform, populate a list of other users with whom the user shares a social connection through the platform, and post content viewable by other users of the platform; and (2) is designed to connect users within the platform to facilitate social interactions, except that a service or application that provides email or direct messaging services shall not be considered to meet this criterion solely based on the existence of that functionality. “Social media platform” shall not include an Internet-based service or application for which interactions between users are solely related to the provision of direct messages, commercial and financial transactions, peer-to-peer payments, consumer engagement around products, product reviews, sellers, services, events, or places, or any combination thereof, or an online service, application, or website that consists primarily of news, sports, entertainment, or other information or content that is not user generated, but is preselected by the provider and for which any chat, comments, or interactive functionality is incidental to, directly related to, or dependent on the provision of the content. L.2025, c.352, s.1.

N.J. Stat. § 56:18-7 24-hour authenticated digital channel, mechanism to report account issues, access, fraudulent activity.

2. a. A social media company shall make available to New Jersey account holders a 24-hour authenticated digital channel or mechanism to report account issues concerning access and fraudulent activity on a New Jersey account holder’s social media account, including, but not limited to, unauthorized access and account recovery. The authenticated digital channel or mechanism may include, but not be limited to, in-app forms, secure help centers, dedicated security portals, AI-powered support assistants, or toll-free telephone numbers The authenticated digital channel or mechanism shall provide a mechanism that will allow for a social media user to communicate with a live agent directly by phone within a reasonable time, but in no case longer than five calendar days following the user’s most recent connection with the authenticated digital channel or mechanism. b. A social media company shall inform consumers of the authenticated digital channel or mechanism made available pursuant to subsection a. of this section on any email notifications of account security sent to a New Jersey account holder and in a prominent location on the homepage or help page of the social media platform. L.2025, c.352, s.2.

N.J. Stat. § 56:18-8 Compliance failure, penalties.

3. It shall be an unlawful practice and a violation of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.) for a social media company to fail to comply with any provision of section 2 of this act. Such violation shall be subject to all remedies and penalties available pursuant to P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-1 et seq.). L.2025, c.352, s.3.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-activity/statutesFetched: 10/17/2026