New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a new law on Wednesday that bars AI chatbots from interacting with users under 18. The legislation mandates that operators like OpenAI and Anthropic verify user age before granting access and prohibit the bots from generating content that could make a minor believe it is a human or has a personal relationship. The measure also bans any output that could be framed as a personal opinion or authority. Hochul said the law protects children’s mental health and privacy.
Tech:NYC slammed the bill as vague, arguing it would cut off tools that help kids learn and prepare for careers. Common Sense Media welcomed the law, calling it the strongest AI safety bill in the country. AI giants OpenAI and Anthropic did not respond to AFP for comment.
California and other states have already passed similar restrictions, but New York’s law is the broadest in language, prompting backlash from the tech industry. The bill will take effect on July 1, giving companies up to 60 days to comply with the new age‑verification and content‑filtering requirements.
A 12‑year‑old from Brooklyn, whose parents feared chatbots could influence his emotional well‑being, praised the legislation as a step toward safer online spaces.