New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed two bills into law. One bans unsafe AI chatbot features for minors in the state. These include bots pretending to be human or encouraging self-harm. The other requires internet-connected baby monitors to block strangers and carry warning labels. Both laws take effect after 90 days. The chatbot law also mandates age verification with multiple methods. Violations can bring fines up to $25,000. The baby monitor law follows a study where eight of nine tested devices failed security. The state already ranks first in the U.S. for laws protecting kids online.
What changed
Baby monitors and AI chatbots in New York had no mandated safety or labeling requirements for minors.
What it unlocks
New York can now penalize unsafe AI chatbot features and insecure baby monitors sold to minors.
- 90 days until baby monitor law takes effect
- $25,000 per violation civil penalty
- 72% of teens used an AI companion once
- 52% of teens use AI companions regularly
What you need to act on it
- selling internet-connected baby monitors in New York
- offering AI chatbots to users under 18 in New York
Sources