"SB 243 was introduced in January by state senators Steve Padilla and Josh Becker, and gained momentum after the death of teenager Adam Raine, who died by suicide after conversations with OpenAI's ChatGPT that involved discussing and planning his death and self-harm. The legislation also responds to leaked internal documents that reportedly showed Meta's chatbots were allowed to engage in "romantic" and "sensual" chats with children."
"We've seen some truly horrific and tragic examples of young people harmed by unregulated tech, and we won't stand by while companies continue without necessary limits and accountability. We can continue to lead in AI and technology, but we must do it responsibly - protecting our children every step of the way. Our children's safety is not for sale."
California enacted SB 243 to regulate AI companion chatbots and require operators to implement safety protocols aimed at protecting children and vulnerable users. The law applies to major AI labs and smaller companion startups, making companies legally accountable if chatbots fail to meet required standards. The legislation gained momentum after tragedies and concerns, including a teenager's suicide following ChatGPT conversations and leaked documents alleging Meta chatbots engaged in sexualized chats with children, plus a lawsuit involving Character AI. SB 243 goes into effect January 1, 2026, and requires features such as age verification and other safety measures.
Read at TechCrunch
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