October 29, 2026
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed two child-safety laws on Oct. 28: one bans AI chatbot features such as bots that pretend to be human or encourage self-harm for users under 18, and one requires security features and a warning label on every new internet-connected baby monitor sold in the state. Separately, a tech industry group sued to block Alabama's app store age-check law before it starts Jan. 1. Here's what each one says, from the laws and official statements.
New York Bans Unsafe AI Chatbot Features for Kids, Starting Jan. 1, 2027
Hochul signed S.9051B/A.10379C, which adds a "Prohibition on Unsafe AI Companion Features for Minors" to New York's General Business Law. According to the governor's office, companies may not offer these features to users under 18, or to any user unless the company has first confirmed the user is not a minor:
Companies must verify age, offer more than one way to do it, including at least one option that doesn't depend only on a government ID, and delete the age information after using it. The state attorney general can seek civil penalties of up to $25,000 per violation, plus damages, restitution and the destruction of unlawfully collected data or AI models trained on it, and must run a public complaint website. The bill text says the law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. The Assembly's record also lists an approval memo, so details could still be adjusted before then.
Why it matters for families and toy makers: the law names no companies, but it covers AI chatbot features offered to New York minors. New York's law follows Colorado's chatbot rules for teens, which we covered Oct. 28.
Source: Office of Gov. Kathy Hochul
New York Baby Monitor Law: Internet-Connected Monitors Need Security Features and a Warning Label
The second bill, S.9508/A.5175A, bars anyone from making, distributing or selling a new baby monitor that broadcasts audio or video over the internet unless it has security features that keep unauthorized users from hearing or viewing activity, plus a warning label. The bill defines a baby monitor as a device marketed only to broadcast audio or video of an infant or child; smartphones, security cameras and similar multi-use devices are excluded.
The label must be on the box or come with the device in at least 12-point type, substantially similar to: "WARNING! THIS PRODUCT CONNECTS TO THE INTERNET. TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED USERS FROM ACCESSING OR VIEWING PRODUCT ACTIVITY, USE THE SECURITY FEATURES PROVIDED." Fines are up to $250 for a first violation and $500 for later ones. The governor's office says the law takes effect 90 days after signing, which is late January 2027.
The governor's office cited security researchers at Rapid7 who tested nine internet-connected baby monitors from eight companies: eight got an "F" for security and one got a "D." The release names no brands.
What parents can do now: the label's own advice applies anywhere: if your monitor connects to the internet, turn on the security features it provides.
Source: New York State Assembly: A.5175A bill text and status
Tech Group Sues to Block Alabama's App Store Age-Check Law, Due Jan. 1
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA), a trade group whose members include app store operators, announced on Oct. 28 that it filed a lawsuit challenging Alabama's App Store Accountability Act (HB 161) on First Amendment grounds. CCIA says the law "would require all users to provide personal data to access content in App Stores." These are CCIA's claims; the court hasn't ruled.
Under the enrolled law, app stores must sort users into four age groups (under 13, 13 to 15, 16 to 17, and 18 and older). If a user is a minor, the account must be linked to a parent's account, and the app store must get "verifiable parental consent" before the minor can download an app, buy an app or make an in-app purchase. The attorney general can seek a civil penalty of up to $7,500 per violation. The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, unless a court blocks it.
Why it matters this season: if the law takes effect, Alabama kids would need a linked parent's OK for each app download and in-app purchase, which affects families giving app store gift cards or game currency as holiday gifts.
Source: CCIA
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