Stop Hiding Hate Act of New York State. A bill signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul in December 2024, is a New York State legislation aimed at increasing transparency in how social media platforms moderate harmful content.
Authored by State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Grace Lee, in collaboration with the Anti-Defamation League, the act requires large online platforms to publicly disclose their content moderation policies and submit annual reports detailing actions taken against hate speech, disinformation, extremism, harassment, and foreign political interference.
The law, effective from June 2025, seeks to hold platforms accountable for addressing harmful content while providing New Yorkers with insight into moderation practices.
Critics, including X Corp (formerly Twitter), argue it infringes on free speech, leading to a federal lawsuit filed in Manhattan in June 2025, claiming the act violates the First Amendment and New York State Constitution.
The NYS Stop Hiding Hate Act mandates that platforms publish their terms of service and outline procedures for handling user complaints about harmful content. Non-compliance can result in daily fines of up to $15,000, prompting concerns about government overreach.
Supporters, including Hoylman-Sigal and Lee, assert the act does not restrict speech but enhances transparency, enabling consumers to make informed choices about platform usage. The legislation emerged amid growing public concern over the proliferation of online hate, particularly targeting LGBTQ+ communities, racial minorities, and other marginalized groups.
Reports, such as GLAAD’s 2025 Social Media Safety Index, highlight the rise in anti-LGBTQ+ content on platforms like Meta, underscoring the need for stronger oversight.
Opposition to the NYS Stop Hiding Hate Act centers on its potential to chill free expression. X Corp, owned by Elon Musk, contends that the act’s vague definitions of harmful content could force platforms to disclose sensitive editorial decisions, risking lawsuits or penalties.
The lawsuit reflects broader debates over balancing free speech with combating online harm, with X positioning itself as a defender of editorial freedom.
Meanwhile, New York officials argue the act aligns with state efforts to protect consumers from digital harms, similar to Minnesota’s 2026 social media warning label law.