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California Governor signs major tech safety laws for minors
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a comprehensive package of 13 laws aimed at protecting children and adolescents from the risks associated with social media and artificial intelligence.
Key provisions include a ban on addictive social media features—such as infinite scroll and algorithmic autoplay—for users under the age of 16. Large platforms found negligent in harming children through these features could face penalties of up to $1 million per child. Additionally, the legislation mandates that AI chatbot operators perform risk assessments before deployment and include mental health resources. In response to the death of a teenager following interactions with a chatbot, the so-called ‘Adam’s Law’ requires chatbots to notify parents if a user shows signs of self-harm.
The package also establishes a regulatory framework for AI oversight, creating a state registry for independent AI auditors and a system for certifying Independent Verification Organizations to assess AI risks. These measures have received support from major AI developers, including OpenAI and Anthropic, though some digital rights groups have expressed concerns regarding privacy and free speech implications.
Separately, the Governor introduced AskCA, an AI-powered digital assistant designed to help residents navigate state and local government services more efficiently.
Entities
Anthropic · California · California Department of Education · Electronic Frontier Foundation · Gavin Newsom · Josh Hoover · Meta · Meta Platforms · OpenAI
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 18 SOURCES] Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of laws to protect children from social media and AI risks. mymotherlode.com · nationalcybersecurity.com · srnnews.com · www.troyrecord.com · www.independent.co.uk · +12 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Governor Newsom introduced AskCA, an AI-powered tool to help residents access state services. www.singtaousa.com · www.gov.ca.gov
- [● 4 SOURCES] New laws establish a framework for independent AI verification organizations and an auditor registry. thebeltwayreport.com · fourweekmba.com · lopezdoriga.com · gizmodo.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] The laws ban addictive social media features, such as infinite scroll and autoplay, for users under 16. nationalcybersecurity.com · www.spacemoney.com.br · mynewsla.com · combonoticias.com · folsomtimes.com · +4 more
- [● 4 SOURCES] AI chatbot operators must perform risk assessments before rolling out products. mymotherlode.com · www.troyrecord.com · nationalcybersecurity.com · ca.news.yahoo.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Major AI companies Anthropic and OpenAI expressed support for the new AI oversight legislation. thebeltwayreport.com · www.breitbart.com · gizmodo.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Social media companies can be penalized up to $1 million per child for negligence in harming children. mymotherlode.com · srnnews.com · www.troyrecord.com · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] AI chatbots must include mental health resources and notify parents if a user shows signs of self-harm. nationalcybersecurity.com · www.spacemoney.com.br · www.notizie.it