MARIN COUNTY – On Sept 10, Governor Gavin Newsom, joined by First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and legislators signed landmark bipartisan legislation strengthening California’s nation-leading protections for children online and when using artificial intelligence (AI). The new laws strengthen safeguards for companion chatbots, prohibit social media platforms from offering addictive features to users under 16, and expand privacy protections for children.

With the Governor’s signature on these bills, California is taking the lead, with the strongest bills regulating chatbots and social media nationwide. This continues California’s leadership in creating strong safeguards on emerging technology, which is being replicated by states throughout the U.S.

California has long stood as a bold leader in protecting children from the dangers of emerging technology. Today’s signings follow other landmark legislation to protect children from social media addiction, strong privacy requirements, and nation-leading transparency measures. California was also the first state to create child online safety protections around AI companion chatbots – which are being again strengthened today.

(Photo source: Gavin Newsom’s Newsroom)