IT·Science News

New York bars AI chatbots from playing friend or partner to children: what the laws do

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed two laws on 28 October barring AI chatbots from harmful interactions with minors, including simulating romantic relationships and promoting self-harm, and requiring security safeguards in internet-connected baby monitors, The Hindu explains.

Fortune lists the details. Chatbots offered to anyone under 18, or to users whose age has not been confirmed, may not impersonate humans, claim to have human emotions, or form romantic, personal or authority-figure relationships with children. They may not promote suicide, self-harm, eating disorders or drug use, urge children to keep secrets from trusted adults, or produce sexually explicit content. Companies must verify age using more than one method and delete the age data afterwards. The attorney general can seek civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation. Baby monitors sold in the state must block strangers from watching or listening in; that law takes effect 90 days after signing.

“No company should be peddling chatbots to kids encouraging self-harm or pretending to be their friend or more.” — Kathy Hochul, via Fortune

How each outlet framed it

• The Hindu — an explainer for international readers on what New York now restricts.
• Fortune — the politics: Hochul, calling herself “New York's mom Governor”, signed the laws one week before Election Day, as states sue OpenAI over alleged harms to children; it cites a Common Sense Media survey finding that 72% of teens have used an AI companion.

What we don't know yet: Fortune does not give a start date for the chatbot rules.