Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new law on 28 October that prohibits chatbots from acting as companions to children in New York.
The legislation requires chatbot operators to verify the ages of their users. Companies must disable specific features when a user under 18 years old logs into the service. Under the new rules, the technology is forbidden from pretending to be human, alive, or capable of experiencing emotions.
The law prevents these systems from suggesting they have professional or personal relationships with users or presenting themselves as authority figures. Chatbots are also banned from framing their responses as personal opinions when interacting with minors.
Hochul said, "No longer will minors have access to chatbots that pretend to be their friends, boyfriends and girlfriends."
Hochul added, "No longer will chatbots be able to keep sensitive information about a minor’s emotional and physical health."
Common Sense Media described the move as "the strongest kids’ AI safety bill in the country."
Jim Steyer of Common Sense Media said, "AI companies offer chatbots with features that are dangerous, and even deadly, for kids and teens."
Steyer further stated, "Now, those harmful features will be outlawed in New York." Tech: NYC suggested the bill could potentially restrict access to coding assistants, homework help, tutoring, and critical career platforms. OpenAI and Anthropic declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
