Social media companies operating in New York must start reporting content moderation policies to the state beginning this week as required by the new Stop Hiding Hate Act passed by the legislature last year, New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced yesterday. John Valenti reports in NEWSDAY that the measure...which was signed into law in December — seeks to ensure social media companies are "more transparent and accountable" for content posted on their platforms, according to the attorney general’s office.

"With violence and polarization on the rise, social media companies must ensure that their platforms don’t fuel hateful rhetoric and disinformation," A.G. James said in an e-mailed statement announcing the start of the reporting date mandate, adding: "The Stop Hiding Hate Act requires social media companies to share their content moderation policies publicly and with my office to ensure that their companies are more transparent about how they are addressing harmful content on their platforms."

Officials said key requirements in place as a result of the act include: that social media companies must publish terms of service "in clear, accessible language and provide contact details for user questions"; that platforms must "clearly describe how users can report violations of the terms of service"; and, that companies must "detail the potential actions they may take against policy violations" — and said those actions include "removing posts or deprioritizing their visibility."

In biannual reports, the attorney general’s office said, social media companies must also provide specific data, including: the total number of posts "flagged with potential policy violations," the total number of posts "on which the company took action" and "details on the specific actions."

Social media companies that fail to post terms of service or that fail to submit a required report — and, companies that file "a materially incomplete or misleading report" — face a potential civil penalty of up to $15,000 per violation per day, the attorney general’s office said.

The goal of the act is to have social media platforms define their guidelines and protocols related to "hate speech or racism, extremism or radicalization, disinformation or misinformation, harassment, and foreign political interference," the attorney general’s office said, adding the additional goal is to have those companies define how they enforce those policies.

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The 13th annual SouthamptonFest fall festival begins in Southampton Village this evening and runs through this Sunday. Cailin Riley reports on 27east.com that the festival starts with the annual Rotary Club Kickoff Party tonight at the Southampton Cultural Center on Pond Lane, also known as Concer’s Way. That party includes music and dancing and supports Southampton Rotary, a longstanding service organization in the community. Thanks to a new partnership between the Southampton Rotary and the Southampton Association, the cost to attend the party will be covered for local merchants, as a token of appreciation for their support and hard work. There’s a full schedule of events this weekend in Southampton Village geared around art, music, food and entertainment. Like last year, a portion of the festival proceeds will benefit the restoration of the World War I Memorial in Agawam Park, a historic community landmark first dedicated in 1923. SouthamptonFest is made possible through the support of main sponsors Northwell Health, Peter Marino Art Foundation and the Southampton Association, along with The Southampton Press, Lake Agawam Conservancy and many other local shops, restaurants and vendors, and the Troop 58 Boy Scouts. For a full list of events and offerings, visit SouthamptonVillage.org.

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The Springs Fire Department will celebrate its 60th Anniversary tomorrow, with activities at the Springs Firehouse at 179