USNew York bans risky AI companion chatbot features for under-18s; law takes effect Jan. 1

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Oct. 28 signed a law (S.9051B/A.10379C) barring AI companion chatbots from offering unsafe features to users under 18; her office calls it nation-leading.

Per IAPP and the governor's office, the law lists 12 categories, including chatbots that pose as human or encourage self-harm or sexual exchanges. Companies must verify users are adults before offering restricted features and delete the verification data. The attorney general can sue violators. AP reported a Jan. 1 effective date. Experts say some categories are broadly worded.