US EditionCalifornia governor Newsom signs law to protect kids from the risks of AI chatbots
- On October 13, 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 243, the first U.S. state law requiring AI chatbot operators to implement safety protocols for children and vulnerable users.
- Following revelations from leaked documents and high-profile deaths, SB 243 gained momentum after the death of 16-year-old Adam Raine and lawsuits against OpenAI and Character AI.
- Under SB 243, platforms must disclose AI interactions, remind minors every three hours, block explicit content, ban health professional impersonation, file reports with the Office of Suicide Prevention, and face penalties up to $250,000 per action.
- Affected companies including OpenAI and Meta must rapidly adapt to SB 243, which holds OpenAI, Meta, xAi, Character AI, and Replika legally accountable while prompting $2.5 million in lobbying and new safeguards.
- SB 243 takes effect January 1, 2026, and requires annual reporting next year, complementing SB 53 as the Federal Trade Commission launched an inquiry last month into chatbot risks for children.
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122 Articles
Gov. Newsom vetoes bill to restrict kids' access to AI chatbots
The bill would have banned companies from making AI chatbots available to anyone under 18 years old unless the businesses could ensure the technology couldn't engage in sexual conversations or encourage self-harm.
California governor vetoes bill to restrict kids' access to AI chatbots
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vetoed landmark legislation that would have restricted children’s access to AI chatbots. The move comes hours after the Democrat signed a law requiring platforms to remind users they are interacting with a chatbot and not…
California is now the first US state to introduce a regulation of AI chatbots after several suicides. Governor Gavin Newsom signed the regulations on Monday and thus resisted the pressure from the White House, which refuses such regulation. The new laws oblige the operators of Chatbots, among other things, to check the age of the users and regularly indicate that the opponent is a machine. In addition, measures are planned to prevent suicide. Go…
One state is getting very serious about regulating AI
After sustained outcry from child safety advocates, families, and politicians, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law a bill designed to curb AI chatbot behavior that experts say is unsafe or dangerous, particularly for teens. The law, known as SB 243, requires chatbot operators prevent their products from exposing minors to sexual content while also consistently reminding those users that chatbots are not human. Additionally, companie…
California signs first US law regulating AI chatbots, defying White House stance
California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday signed the nation’s first law regulating artificial intelligence chatbots, defying White House calls for a hands-off approach. The measure requires chatbot…
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