Technology

Hochul signs New York law setting safeguards for children using AI chatbots

The law requires AI companies to verify users' ages and takes effect in six months.

Updated Oct 29, 2026 · 00:24 UTC2 reports

The short version

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a law aimed at protecting children from AI chatbot harms.[Engadget]
AI companies must verify users' ages and offer at least one method that does not rely entirely on government ID.[Engadget]
Companies that break the law may face civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, plus damages and possible data deletion.[Engadget]
The law takes effect in six months, though Justine Gluck says several categories are broadly worded or undefined.[Engadget · ABC News]

Hochul also signed a separate law requiring internet-connected baby monitors sold in the state to prevent unauthorized users from seeing or hearing captured activity.[Engadget]
New York City banned public schools in September from letting children from 2-K through eighth grade use generative AI tools in class.[Engadget]
Eight states filed separate lawsuits against OpenAI earlier this month, accusing the company of endangering children.[Engadget]
Jim Steyer of Common Sense Media said in a statement that the law is the strongest kids' AI safety bill in the country.[Engadget]
Companies that break the law may face civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, plus damages, restitution and other relief.[Engadget]

Justine Gluck says several categories in the law are broadly worded or undefined, which raises questions about where conversational responsiveness ends and prohibited behavior begins.[ABC News]

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.