California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a sweeping AI safety bill on Thursday, creating the nation’s most rigorous digital protections for minors using AI companion chatbots. The new rules set strict verification, data‑handling, and transparency standards, positioning the state as a leading regulator in generative AI.
The measure, officially named the “Teen Safety Act” after a teenage activist who testified about being manipulated by a chatbot, mandates age‑verification checkpoints, parental‑notification alerts, and the ability for users to request data deletion. It also requires bots to disclose their AI nature clearly and to halt conversations that suggest inappropriate content.
Industry groups warn the rules could complicate product rollouts, yet they also prompt faster development of ethical AI design frameworks. Observers say California’s bold stance may inspire other states to adopt similar safeguards, reshaping how tech companies balance innovation with child safety in the rapidly expanding AI companion market.
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