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Social media can provide many incredible benefits — from connecting loved ones to giving people an outlet to express themselves to providing access to information and creating jobs in our state. At the same time, we have seen that social media companies do not always live up to the best of their potential — and that can pose a threat to us all.
As Attorney General of California, the home of Silicon Valley and birthplace of social media, I am keenly aware of both the promise and pitfalls of social media, and I am dedicated to protecting our young people, communities, and democracy from the risks it can pose.
That is why this week I, alongside a nationwide bipartisan coalition of 42 attorneys general, called on Congress to require a surgeon general’s warning on social media platforms — an important first step in clearly communicating the dangers to parents and young people. As we near a major election in November, I also called on the largest social media and AI companies to address election misinformation and deepfakes on their platforms — a critical step to protecting the sanctity of our democracy.
There is no doubt that social media has changed our world. As Attorney General, I am here to make sure that change is for the better.
Respectfully,
Rob
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Supporting Social Media Warning Labels
 Warning labels on social media are a clear and frank way to communicate the risks that social media engagement poses to young users. Just like we are certain of the risk of alcohol or cigarette use, we are certain of the mental health risks of social media use. As mentioned above, I’m urging Congress to adopt this commonsense step that complements California's work to protect our children and teens.
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Addressing Election Misinformation
 Eight of the largest social media and AI companies — Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, Reddit, TikTok, X, and YouTube — received a letter from me this week, in which I reminded them that existing California laws prohibit certain types of voter intimidation, deception, and dissuasion, and that those laws may apply to content posted on social media platforms and content generated by AI. The bottom line: Deceptive activities must be better identified by the companies and reported to law enforcement.
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Helping Homeowners Stay in Their Homes
 Helping homeowners avoid unnecessary foreclosure is a critical issue, especially in the face of California’s housing crisis. This week, 19 attorneys general and I submitted a comment letter supporting the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s proposed rules on pre-foreclosure mortgage servicing requirements. The proposed rules would provide new foreclosure safeguards for homeowners having trouble paying their mortgage and require that critical information be provided in languages borrowers understand.
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Calling for Investigation into Texas Raids
 Under the guise of policing unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, the Texas Attorney General’s Office recently searched the homes of Latino candidates and voting rights organizers and seized property from the homes of elderly volunteers. As part of a multistate coalition, I sent a letter to the United States Department of Justice requesting that an investigation be opened into those raids. Using fear and baseless accusations to target people of color is unacceptable and un-American.
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Safeguarding the Rights of LGBTQ+ Students
 The San Bernardino Superior Court issued a ruling this week permanently halting the Chino Valley Unified School District Board of Education’s mandatory gender identity disclosure policy. This is a win for all students in Chino Valley and across the State. Chino Valley Unified has an obligation to protect the safety and well-being of the students it is charged to serve, especially our most vulnerable student communities who need a supportive and welcoming environment to succeed.
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Make a Difference at California DOJ
 Apply today to help DOJ protect the health, well-being, and public safety of Californians. Check out our featured jobs below and visit oag.ca.gov/careers for a full listing of available positions:
Deputy Attorney General III, Tort & Condemnation
Deputy Attorney General IV, Consumer Protection
Deputy Attorney General III, Cannabis Control
Deputy Attorney General IV, Government Law
Deputy Attorney General IV, Healthcare Rights and Access
Bureau Director, Justice Data and Investigative Services Division
Linux System Administrator, Unix Server Administration Unit
Legal Secretary, Legal Support Operations
Fiscal Manager, Public Rights Division
Paralegal, Licensing Section
Attorney General’s Honors Program
Deputy Attorney General
Graduate Legal Assistant
Geoffrey Wright Solicitor General DAG or GLA
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Video of the Week
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We've been busy at the California Department of Justice. Watch this short TikTok video on our housing efforts.
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Resource Corner
Fire engines are seen near the site where blaze and smoke from the Bridge Fire burning in Angeles National Forest billow on September 11, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images)
Price gouging during a state of emergency is illegal. This week, I issued a consumer alert following Governor Gavin Newsom’s declaration of a state of emergency in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties in response to the Bridge Fire, and in Orange and Riverside Counties in response to the Airport Fire.
Californians who believe they have been the victim of price gouging should report it to their local authorities or to my office at oag.ca.gov/report. California law generally prohibits charging a price that exceeds, by more than 10%, the price of an item before a state or local declaration of emergency.
The consumer alert is available here.
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