New York restricts AI chatbot features for minors

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed laws restricting AI chatbot features for minors and requiring stronger security for internet connected baby monitors, as stated in a state announcement. The chatbot law bars companies from offering minors features that claim human emotions, present the chatbot as a personal or romantic relationship, encourage emotional dependency, promote self harm or provide sexually explicit content.

Companies must verify users' ages and provide more than one verification method, including an option that does not rely only on government identification. They must delete age information after using it. The state attorney general can seek civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, damages, restitution and deletion of unlawfully collected data or models trained on that data.

The baby monitor law prohibits sales of new devices that send audio or video over the internet unless they include protections against unauthorized access. Manufacturers must also provide a clear warning that the monitor connects to the internet and explain the available security features. That law takes effect 90 days after signing.