Colorado law mandates faster social media warrant responses

A new Colorado law, Senate Bill 11, took effect on August 12, requiring social media companies operating within the state to respond more rapidly to law enforcement search warrants.

Under the bipartisan measure, companies must acknowledge a search warrant within eight hours and comply within three days, unless a court grants an extension. To ensure accessibility, platforms are required to maintain a staffed hotline and provide contact information for law enforcement at all times. Failure to comply can result in penalties of up to $5,000.

Lawmakers and law enforcement officials designed the law to accelerate investigations into criminal activities, specifically targeting the illegal sale of drugs and weapons involving minors. Proponents noted that previous delays by social media companies, which sometimes lasted weeks or months, hindered critical investigations.