On October 13, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law the nation’s first statute aimed at regulating “companion chatbots,” which are AI systems that simulate human-like relationships with their users. The new law, which has been added to California’s Business & Professions Code, sets out disclosure, safety, and reporting requirements. Users who suffer harm from a violation of this law now have a private right of action that allows them to seek at least $1,000 per violation plus attorney’s fees. The law will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Posts tagged California’s Business & Professions Code.