Utah Enacts Landmark Protections for Child Influencers Following Ruby Franke Case

The new law mandates financial safeguards for children in online content and allows adults to remove videos they appeared in as minors.

Governor Spencer Cox signed the law on Tuesday, requiring parents earning over $150,000 annually from child-focused content to set aside 15% of earnings in a trust fund for their children.
The law also grants adults the right to request the removal of digital content they were featured in as minors from online platforms.
Ruby Franke, a former family vlogger, and her business partner Jodi Hildebrandt were convicted of aggravated child abuse and sentenced to up to 30 years in prison in 2024.
The Franke family's YouTube channel, '8 Passengers,' showcased their daily lives but faced backlash after evidence of severe abuse surfaced, including malnourishment and physical restraint of the children.
The legislation was influenced by testimonies from Franke's ex-husband, Kevin Franke, and their children, as well as renewed public attention spurred by a Hulu documentary on the case.