NY Prohibits Debt Collection Through Social Media

New York recently passed an amendment to its general business law prohibiting creditors from using social media platforms to collect on a debtor. 

The amendment defines social media platforms as, in part, public or semi-public applications in which a substantial function of the application is to allow its users social interaction, and that allow for: (i) public or semi-public individual user profiles; (ii) creation of a list of other users with whom the individual interacts; and (iii) creation of shared content.

This provision is effective currently.