Chatbot Laws · verified Oct. 21, 2026
Would require a business that uses a customer service chatbot or voice bot to talk with consumers in real time to tell them, in a separate message at the start, that they are communicating with an automated system and not a human. Violations would be unlawful practices under the Consumer Fraud Act.
Who it would cover
A person who uses a conversational customer service AI system (one that holds real-time text or voice conversations directly with a consumer through a chat, messaging or voice interface) to communicate with consumers. Does not cover internal operations, marketing, pricing or analytics with no direct real-time interaction with the consumer.
What it would require
| AI disclosure | A clear and conspicuous disclosure that the consumer is communicating with an automated system and not with a human: a separate message, spoken or written, in the language of the conversation, at least as large and visible as the consumer's own messages if written.When: At the beginning of the interactionSecs. 5, 10 |
|---|---|
| Other duties | A business that makes the disclosure is not liable under the Act for the design or outputs of a chatbot built or provided by a third party. Remedies are cumulative with other civil, administrative or criminal remedies, including product liability actions. Local governments could not regulate these disclosures (home rule preemption).Secs. 15, 30 |
Enforcement
| Enforced by | Attorney General and State's Attorney of any countySecs. 20, 25 |
|---|---|
| Private lawsuits | Yes |
| Penalties | A violation is an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, and the Attorney General or a State's Attorney may use that Act's remedies and penalties against a pattern or practice of violations. A person who suffers actual damage may sue under Section 10a of that Act. |
| Cure period | At least 7 days' notice before the Attorney General or State's Attorney sues, with a chance to give an assurance of voluntary compliance. |
Related laws
- Illinois SB 316Artificial Intelligence Companion Model Safety ActPassed both chambers
Sources
- Bill Status of SB0317, Illinois General Assembly Supports: Senate passage 56-1 on 5/21/2026; Senate Floor Amendment 2; House Rules re-referral 5/31/2026 (last action); sponsors; synopsis.
- SB0317 Engrossed full text, Illinois General Assembly Supports: definitions, disclosure duty, application limits, enforcement, notice before suit, private action, home rule.
- Ventura legislation requiring human interaction transparency for AI chatbots passes Senate (Illinois Senate Democrats, May 21, 2026) Supports: sponsor's description of the bill and its Senate passage.