FAC keeps pushing for answers after FDLE fails to clarify “Internet Identifier” requirements.
We want to update you on an important development regarding our ongoing efforts to get clear answers on Florida’s “internet identifier” reporting requirements.
As you know, FAC submitted a Request for Declaratory Statement to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement under Florida Statutes Section 120.565(1). We asked what should be very straightforward questions: what types of accounts actually need to be reported under Florida Statutes Section 943.0435, who decides whether something qualifies, and whether there is any written guidance that people can rely on. We initiated this action after members were getting violated in some counties for not registering their Google Drive account, YouTube (which does not offer direct person-to-person communication) or similar accounts. We asked other registration offices and sheriffs whether certain accounts were required to be registered and got differing answers. Some had no clue.
On March 11, 2026, FDLE issued a denial — but instead of answering those questions, they totally avoided them. We have now formally appealed that decision.
This matters because the statute applies to all individuals required to register and our members are directly affected. If someone gets it wrong, they can be arrested. That makes clarity not just helpful, but absolutely necessary. FDLE suggested that we were trying to determine the conduct of third parties. That’s simply not true. We’re asking for guidance for our own members — people who are required to follow this law and need to understand what is expected of them so they don’t unintentionally violate it. They also refused to answer the most basic question: who actually decides whether a specific website or app must be reported? Think about it — if you’re unsure whether your comment on our website or your employer’s cloud storage account needs to be registered, who do you ask? And if law enforcement sees online activity that may not have been reported, who decides whether that’s a violation? Is it an individual officer? A local sheriff? FDLE? Right now, there’s no clear answer.
On top of that, FDLE declined to say whether they even have any written policies or internal guidance on this issue. If such guidance exists, people should be able to rely on it. If it doesn’t, that raises even more serious concerns about how this law is being enforced across the state.
At the end of the day, all we are asking for is clarity. When a law carries severe criminal penalties with mandatory minimum sentences, people need to know what is required of them — and law enforcement needs a consistent standard to follow.
We’ll keep you updated as this moves forward. In the meantime, to read our appeal, click on the link below.
FAC Appeal to FDLE – Dec Stmt 04212026
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Seems things may he hearing up for lawmakers we will see
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/21/house-ethics-committee-sexual-misconduct-00885827
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/21/house-senate-sexual-harassment-study
The whole issue bares down on the enforcement of unconstitutional laws that are both ex post facto and vague. They do not want to answer because that allows them to make up their own, what is and what is not. IE: Youtube, Google Drive, Ebay. There should be a list that says if you have anything on this list it needs to be reported if not then you do not. It is pretty simple.
Tearfuleagle
Ebay should NOT be registrable because it is a site to sell items, not to make friends, or socialize. Only one way to contact a buyer/seller and that is through the messaging area on ebay. It is controlled by ebay what you can say on the message such as “Hey Brian, I am letting you know I shipped your makeup kit today”. LOL
I understand that they want cloud based picture sites, and apps, but Google Drive is part of your regular Google account. Shouldn’t need a separate registration for it.
“Cloud based picture sites”? I don’t recall those mentioned anywhere in the registration law.
Unless you are referring to something like Instagram, where users can post personal profiles and contact other users who have also posted profiles.
There are some Counties that require a separate registration entry for google drive. If you don’t register it there they will arrest you. That is what is meant by cloud based picture sites.
Jacob
I do not have any social media at all. The only thing that is even close is FAC itself. I have never heard of anyone registering Florida action committee as social media, but what do I know right? There is a possibility with all these stupid requirements that every one of us has un-knowingly violated some trivial crap that really has NOTHING to do with the registry or offending.
It is like telling an ex-murderer one of their stipulations is you cannot go anywhere near Burger king.
Or at least it used to be.
They don’t quite go into detail on the registration paperwork, but if you look into the statutes, it’s there Jacob.
This is just more evidence of government obfuscation. It seems there is no accountability at the state and federal levels anymore, if there ever was.
You mentioned having members arrested for violating this law. I hope you can forward all this effort to their defense counsel, though ideally not a public defender.
Your work is invaluable. Thank you so much.