New york enacts strict AI chatbot regulations for minors

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed into law a comprehensive bill aimed at restricting AI chatbots from engaging with minors. The law prohibits chatbots from offering features such as pretending to be human, providing emotional support, or discussing private health information. It also bans chatbots from promoting harmful behaviors like drug use, self-harm, or suicide. Hochul emphasized that no company should be encouraging self-harm or pretending to be a friend to children. Companies must verify user age through multiple methods, including non-government ID checks. Only Anthropic currently blocks minors from creating accounts, while Google and OpenAI allow users aged 13 and older. Violations could result in fines up to $25,000. The law also establishes a public complaint platform for New Yorkers. Hochul has previously supported AI safety legislation, including measures against addictive social media features. With federal AI regulations absent, states like California have also enacted similar laws. California’s Adam Raine Law, named after a teen who died by suicide after interacting with ChatGPT, requires annual child safety risk assessments and independent audits for AI chatbots. Experts note that existing safety measures have not fully prevented harmful chatbot behavior.