Chatbot Laws · verified Oct. 21, 2026
On covered social media and gaming platforms used by New York minors, an AI companion built into the service must be switched off by default for users the platform determines are under 18, and a parent can turn it on. The platform must check age before offering the feature. The Attorney General enforces.
Who must comply
Operators of a 'covered platform': a public or semi-public site or app used by New York minors that lets users build a profile, offers private messaging, and also offers either posting and responding to media or game creation/play with real-money purchases (§ 1539(12)). AI characters confined to a game's fiction are excluded from 'AI companion' (§ 1539(10)).
What it requires
| Minors | For a covered minor (a New York user reasonably determined through age assurance to be under 18), the operator must disable access to an integrated AI companion by default; a parent may override. If the minor asks for consent to change the default, the operator must notify the parent.§ 1540(7)(b)-(d) |
|---|---|
| Age checks | An operator may not offer a user an integrated AI companion until it has used age assurance to learn whether the user is under 18. Until Attorney General rules take effect, self-declared age or minor status may not be used.§ 1540(1), (7)(a) |
Enforcement
| Enforced by | Attorney General§ 1547 |
|---|---|
| Private lawsuits | No |
| Penalties | Attorney General may seek injunctions, restitution, disgorgement, damages and civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation. |
Key dates
- Safe by Design Act, including AI companion limits for minors, takes effect
Related laws
- New York S 9051-B / A 10379-CAI companion features unsafe for minorsPassed both chambers
Sources
- NY Senate bill page A10008 Supports: signed May 26, 2026, chap. 58; Part Y is the Safe by Design Act.
- NY Senate bill page S9008 Supports: same-as bill; Chapter 58 of the Laws of 2026.
- S 9008-C bill text, Part Y Supports: Part Y text; Part Y § 4: takes effect January 1, 2027.
- Gen. Bus. Law § 1540 Supports: AI companion default-off for minors.
- Gen. Bus. Law § 1539 Supports: definitions.
- Gen. Bus. Law § 1547 Supports: remedies.
- Gen. Bus. Law Art. 45-B Supports: 'NB Effective January 1, 2027' note.
- S 9008, New York State Senate Supports: Senate substitution and vote.